Gravenhurst agrees to commit to Bee City Certification
Gravenhurst Council agreed to commit to the Bee City Certification (BCC), in the July 16th meeting.
Director of Development Services, Melissa Halford, advised that the Town should be certified as a BCC community because of its existing commitment to the principles of the certification.
Council agreed to accept designation to the certification standards.
Halford explained that efforts to uphold the standards will include implementation of education initiatives created by the previously existing Sustainability Committee (now Trails Committee), which will include a program involving habitat management, education, and celebrating pollination week, which is the third week of June every year.
She added that the program will also include social media engagement and community events.
The goal of the program is to start communication regarding reducing chemicals, creating awareness about pollinator diversity, and encouraging the use of native plants, indicated Halford.
She continued that they have many ideas and will also partner with other provincial and Canadian municipalities “to make a public commitment to support pollinators and their habitats and develop more programing around that.”
Mayor, Heidi Lorenz, suggested that the Town’s library can also establish a program in support of the initiative.
Halford agreed that it would be fitting with the library’s existing Learning Garden program.
Councillor, Christina Hunter, expressed excitement about the BCC initiative. She also expressed the importance of providing education around the value of so called “weeds,” and handling complaints about related issues, such as people having dandelions and golden rods, with the goal of fostering greater acceptance.
Halford noted the Town’s “No Mow May” initiative and the importance of residents also leaving their yards as is at the end of winter, and that efforts toward greater education can be made around these areas as well.
She indicated it would be a good idea “to highlight that it’s easy to participate,” and said they will work with the resources the Town has to implement the project.
Councillor, Peter Johnston, said, “Pollinators are so vitally important in the climate crisis action. People don’t realize how the world is decimated by climate.”
