The growing success of Tipi Mountain Native Plant Nursery

Tipi Mountain Native Plant Nursery is a successful native plant nursery in the Kootenay region of British Columbia

Mike Keefer is pictured here at work in the field. — Krystal Kerkchoff photo

“The story goes all the way back to the 1990s,” said Mike Keefer, co-owner of Tipi Mountain Native Plant Nursery. “I was working for the Ktunaxa Nation on an ethnobotany project, and part of our job was to look for economic opportunities through the plants.”

Keefer said it became apparent to him that there was an opportunity to revegetate industrial disturbances in a different way. This resulted in Keefer and his partner, Robert Williams—a young elder—forming Tipi Mountain Native Plant Nursery in 2008.  At the same time, Keefer incorporated Keefer Ecological Services Ltd., and the two businesses are operated as siblings.

“Keefer Ecological takes care of the work that supports the nursery, including the science and experiments to test new species," said Keefer. "We work very closely with the mining sector throughout the southeast and northeast coal blocks.”

The need for green

Located at the north end of the St. Mary's Reserve near Cranbrook, B.C., the nursery underwent a major expansion in the last year. A 14,000-square-foot nursery had to be built rapidly to answer the market demand. There is now 24,000 square feet of greenhouse space.

“We grow over 80 different species of native plants,” said Keefer. “We are more like a cottage industry where we have multiple different crops, which all have different requirements on how to grow them.”

Keefer said the company's orders vary from year to year, so they have to deal with a certain amount of uncertainty. For instance, mining giant Teck—the company's biggest client—has changing needs each year because of its cycles of mine reclamation.

“They are somewhat flexible, and are very understanding with the way things work, but they do have to meet regulations and do things correctly,” said Keefer. “Some years, certain plants produce no seed, so we always have to be ready to adapt.”

Growth in the North

Keefer added that whileTeck's needs are growing and that impacts his company's workload, Tipi Mountain Native Plant Nursery has many other clients.

“We have customers as far away as northern British Columbia and Tumbler Ridge,” he said. “We are growing a fair bit for the mining industry up there.”

Keefer said the company recently opened a new office in Fort Nelson in northern B.C.

“It will grow quickly and is likely to be involved in the oil and gas sector, leading the revegetation of their disturbances,” said Keefer. “We are also aiding the First Nations with technical assistance in aquatic science and revegetation.”

In partnership with other stakeholders, Keefer has plans to open another 14,000-square-foot greenhouse in Moberly, B.C., to support the needs of the northeast coal sector.

Another important focus

Keefer said he is excited about Tipi Mountain Eco Cultural Services Ltd. (TMECS), an independent consulting company that will work closely with Keefer Ecological Services Ltd. Led by Robert Williams, TMECS offers services in the field of archeology, and it will complete projects under the BC Heritage Conservation Act. Keefer said their aim is to provide quality archeological consulting services in the East Kootenay and surrounding area of B.C.