A new environmental initiative is abuzz in Minden Hills, Ont.
Minden Hills is officially the 84th Bee City in Canada, and the first in Haliburton County.
Bee City is a Canadian program that provides support to communities and organizations that are committed to protecting pollinators. To become a recognized Bee City, members must commit to celebrating pollinators during national pollinator week in June, creating and maintaining pollinator habitats, and providing education to the community.
“We thought this would be a great way for our rural community to do our part to help with pollinator habitats,” says Chelsea Cosh, manager of waste facilities for Minden Hills.
Cosh, who spearheads many environmental initiatives within the town, brought the idea of joining Bee City to the town council earlier this year. The council was very supportive of the idea and approved the initiative on April 11, says Cosh.
“Becoming a Bee City allows us to be a leader in biodiversity and show that we’re doing our part to help the environment,” says Cosh, who hopes Minden Hills will set an example for surrounding municipalities. “If we can help do our part, then we’re going to be a leader and hopefully encourage others to join.”
The town already has several plans in the works for promoting pollinator habitats, including developing pollinator gardens at the local rotary club and elementary school. Cosh says she’s also hoping to set up wildflower seed packet giveaways and field trips to the local nature centre for elementary school students.
“Education and promotion are key as we get this program started,” she says.
There are also many ways for cottagers to get involved in the initiative, regardless of whether you live in a “Bee City” or not.
Bee City Canada recommends incorporating plants that are native to your region into your garden or planters, particularly those that provide food to pollinators from spring to fall. In Haliburton, for example, native species such as wild strawberry and milkweeds attract pollinators.
The majority of bee species nest in natural cavities like plant stems or underground, so the organization also suggests leaving bare soil patches, stems, and dead stalks in your garden.
In Minden Hills, Cosh hopes local cottage associations will consider joining together and creating their own community gardens.
“Bee City gives the township the opportunity to effectively interact with residents and help the township achieve sustainability,” says Cosh. “It’s as simple as creating a garden on your property.”
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