OUR MISSION is to do whatever we can to provide sanctuary and support to our pollinator species throughout our community.
THE ISSUE is that our native wild bees along with honey bees are disappearing in mass numbers.
THE CAUSES are intricately connected around weakened immune systems or out and out direct poisoning taken in through the bee’s food source. An entire treated plant including the pollen and nectar contains a pesticide from the neonicotinoid family of chemicals. This is a class of highly toxic neuro-chemicals that integrate into the entire plant as it grows. It is known as systemic poisoning.
THE IMPLICATIONS are staggering. Over one third of the food we eat depends on bees for pollination.
Fruits and nuts such as apples, pears, peaches, blueberries, raspberries, cherries and plums etc.
Vegetables such as onions, cucumbers, beets, watermelons, pumpkins, squash, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, cantaloupe, beans, etc.
Some nursery bedding & vegetable plants sold by North American retailers are unnecessarily pre-treated with neonicotinoids.
The Bee and Butterfly Habitat initiative retains seed packets and literature to enable gardeners to establish plants for pollinator habitat.
The goals of this initiative are to provide sanctuary by:
- making habitat-supportive choices in our gardening practices and plant selection, advocating, encouraging and helping others to develop supportive habitat pollinators
- exploring new commercial opportunities for local businesses arising from our initiative, and ultimately branding our municipality as a champion for biodiversity and habitat development and protection.
- creating a habitat at Lakeview Cemetery, a Bee & Butterfly garden at Meaford Community Gardens, a flourishing garden at the Meaford Museum
- creating a special ‘Meaford Mix’ seed blend for this initiative and there are currently seeds available to distribute and for fundraising
Bee & Butterfly brochure in PDF format
We are currently (March 2021) continuing discussions with the Municipality of Meaford regarding possible locations to showcase pollinator friendly habitat plants, and possible Bee City designation.