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Pollinator Week is Here!

Kim Fellows 

Pollination Canada is celebrating last week's decision by the Ontario government to formally become the first jurisdiction in North America to significantly reduce the use of neonicotinoid pesticides. You may remember that we wrote about the draft proposal in earlier this year. You can read the formal announcement, and find out more the impact of neonicotinoid pesticides on pollinators.

What can YOU do for pollinators? Because habitat loss is one of the largest stressors responsible for the decline of our bee-loved pollinators, the very best thing you can do is plant for them. Do what you can – plant just one pollinator-friendly species, or plant a whole field. Plant native species, or plant species that you know are laden with pollen and nectar (remember that some ornamental hybrids do not produce pollen or nectar).

Ideally, aim for a continuous succession of blooms from early spring to late autumn; this benefits our pollinating creatures all season long. You can use Pollination Canada’s bee-friendly plant guide to springboard your selection of plants or see our list of pollinator resources. A final word of caution: if you are purchasing seedlings from a nursery that doesn't advertise itself as organic, ASK if they have used neonicotinoid pesticides on their plants. A number of nurseries – though not all – use these pesticides on the plants they sell. 

If you're unable to plant anything for pollinators this year, you can still appreciate pollinators. Amble down to your local farmers' market and, depending where you are located, perhaps you will find jewels such as raspberries and strawberries. Remember to think sweet thoughts of the bees that pollinated them!

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Check here to see if there are any Pollinator Week events taking place in your area. You can also use your favourite search engine, whether it's online or your local community board, to find an event near you. If there isn't a Pollinator Week event in your community, start one next year at your local garden, park, or nature centre.

You can find lots more about pollinators, and about Pollination Canada, at www.seeds.ca/pollination. If you are interested in learning more about pollinators, this report has detailed information on various species and how they pollinate our plants.

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Kim Fellows is the coordinator of Pollination Canada, a project of Seeds of Diversity Canada.

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