KAWARTHA LAKES-Bees may soon have a safe haven in the City of Kawartha Lakes.
City council has voted to submit an application to become the next Bee City as designated by Bee City Canada. Bee City Canada encourages municipalities and their residents to support bees and other pollinators on both public and private land and create awareness around the importance of bees.
Bee City Canada began in 2016 and since then six communities across the country have joined. The Bee City program was first launched in the United States in 2012 and 45 American cities have achieved Bee City certification.
A committee will be formed under City of Kawartha Lakes Environmental Advisory Committee (CKLEAC) consisting of community leaders, city staff and local experts to coordinate efforts. Other commitments include displaying Bee City signage in a prominent location, maintaining information available to the public on initiatives to support pollinators and annually recognizing Pollinator Week in the third week of June.
The City already has a number of initiates in place to support a healthy pollinator population, including the Fenelon Landfill Pollination Project. Read more about the project here:https://www.kawartha411.ca/2017/04/12/decommissioned-fenelon-falls-landfill-to-be-repurposed-to-help-declining-bee-populations/
“Becoming a Bee City will make Kawartha Lakes a visible role model for progressive initiatives designed to protect and encourage native pollinator populations. This is something we can all feel good about,” commented CKLEAC committee member, Susan Blayney.
Honey bees have experienced massive die-offs but our wild native bees also face challenges according to Blayney. These insects are responsible for the growth of 30% of our crops and 90% of all wild plants.
