Swáy̓wi Temíxw
Welcome to the online home of Swáy̓wi Temíxw, our Community Demonstration Garden!
Chepximiya Siyam’ Chief Janice George of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) has honoured this garden with its Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim name.
The place-based word Swáy̓wi refers to the location of the garden and Temíxw means land, dirt, or earth.
Native Plant Guide
Tsitsáyxemaat Rebecca Duncan and her students from Xwemélch’stn Etsimxwawtxw Capilano Little Ones visited our new Recording Studio to record the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim names of the native plants in our garden. We are grateful to Tsitsáyxemaat and her students for sharing their language and traditional knowledge with us!
Click the play button 
below and take an audio tour of the native plant garden.
Mason Bee Lending Program
Since 2022, West Van Library patrons have been able to borrow mason bee “bungalows” along with 10 to 15 mason bee cocoons from the Library’s bee hotel to kickstart their journey into beekeeping. Now, the program has grown into a vibrant community of 86 mason bee enthusiasts across West Vancouver and beyond. The program is perfect for anyone with a garden, a small backyard, or low-rise apartment patio.
What are mason bees?
Mason bees are exceptional pollinators and contribute significantly to local plant life. Mason bees already live in your neighbourhood, are easy to care for, and don’t sting.
But why lend bees at a Library?
The lending program is not just about beekeeping; it’s a strategic move towards integrity and sustainability, which is at the heart of the Library’s mission. We’re not just creating hobbyist beekeepers; we’re nurturing a network of environmental stewards.
Beyond the Library
The success of the mason bee lending program has led to a collaborative effort with the West Vancouver Seniors’ Activity Centre. Their Woodwork Shop participants have crafted larger mason bee houses, such as the one now found at the Capilano View Cemetery, and are available for past participants of the Library program to purchase. Plans are underway to expand this initiative to other locations, including the Argyle Village Pollinator Garden located along Ambleside’s waterfront.
This year’s mason bee lending program is already underway. If you have any questions or would like to be sent a reminder when registration opens for 2025, please email Taren Urquhart at turquhart@westvanlibrary.ca. Visit the Library’s mason bee hotel on the rooftop garden April through June to see some mason bee action!
More Resources
Our librarians have compiled these online gardening resources and reading recommendations that can help you create and maintain your own garden at home.
