This spring, we have launched a new program: Pollinator Friendly Squamish. This program had been launched to nurture the small species that are essential to our environment. Our aim is to support thriving and diverse pollinator populations in the Squamish area.
Pollinators are vital to plant reproduction as they move pollen with a flower or carry it from flower to flower. Pollination of plants supports ecosystem biodiversity and agricultural crop production.
In BC, bees, wasps, butterflies, moths, beetles, flies and hummingbirds are all pollinators. A lot of these species are in decline due to climate change, habitat loss, pesticides and disease. Globally, three quarters of insect biomass have been lost in a single generation! (Hallman et al., 2017)
The Pollinator Squamish team has big goals and many ideas!
To begin with, our goals are to:
- Have Squamish awarded Bee City Certification. This requires resolutions to create pollinator habitat, engage with the public, and celebrate pollinators.
- Create and enhance a pollinator patchwork. We want to involve the community and District of Squamish to develop and maintain pollinator-friendly, pesticide-free habitat in private and public spaces.
- Form a ‘Seed Sitters’ club. Here we’ll provide volunteers with supplies to grow seedlings throughout winter, ready for spring planting in designated community pollinator patches.
We have plenty of volunteer opportunities:
- Become a ‘Seed Sitter’
- Planting a native plant patch at home
- Planting native plants in community (stay tuned for dates and locations)
- Providing 2 hours a month to weed native planted plots
- Community outreach at our booth at community functions
- Fundraising ideas and development
- Graphics assistance
- Mapping assistance
- Compiling spreadsheet data
Complete our volunteer enquiry form to get involved!
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