The Conservation & Environment Committee of the Ontario Horticultural Association is taking pollination seriously. Check the web site links for interesting facts about pollination.
Last year, we introduced Roadsides. Roadsides is all about pollinators and native plants and putting them together to create habitat for native pollinators along roadsides and spare land in Ontario. At least two pilots will be started this spring. We’ll keep you up-to-date as the pilots progress.
In the meantime, here’s a brochure about Roadsides and a short presentation. By convention time, we will have a do-it-yourself guide to help you start your own Roadsides project.
Where do all these hints and ideas come from?
From many sites on the web, from books, books, books, from I-can't-remember-where, and from friends and acquaintances. Thanks to all who have given us "green" ideas.
Some websites used:
Green Guide -- a print and web publication of National Geographic
The Suzuki Foundation -- a wealth of green ideas
The CBCs One Million Acts of Green -- a great page for starting to green your life
Some books used:
Green Clean, Linda Mason Hunter & Mikki Halpin
1001 Ways to Save the Earth, Joanna Yarrow
David Suzuki's Green Guide, David Suzuki, David R. Boyd
Invasive Woodland Plants
A wonderful little booklet has been produced for Ontario landowners and gardeners, too.
From the Ontario Invasive Plant Council:
This 24 page booklet was produced by a partnership of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, Ontario Invasive Plant Council, Ontario Stewardship, Victoria Land & Water Stewardship Council, and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.
Copies are available from the first 4 partners and in some of the MNR offices. You can also download it here, but please note that it is a large (2 MB) file.
No Mow, No Blow, No H2O
Visit the site of the Royal Botanical Gardens as see what the excitement is about. Learn how to change your front yard into a yard with a difference.
Some of Our Friends
Having friends means you never have to work alone. OHA is friends with other Conservation and Environment groups and fosters programs that are meaningful and important to Ontario.
Communities in Bloom is one of our oldest partners. It is a national organization that focusses on the "green spaces in urban settings."In many communities, the local horticultural society and the Communities in Bloom committee work closely and may even be the same people!
The Conservation Council of Ontario an activist group connecting the many conservation groups in Ontario. Their website, Green Ontario, is an interesting place to visit and contains hints about what you can do to help conserve in Ontario.
Tallgrass Ontario is a networking organization working towards the conservation of prairie and savanna sites in Ontario. One interesting aspect is the requirement of burning to maintain a prairie. Go to the Tallgrass site to see why.
Biodiversity Education and Awareness Network (BEAN) is an offshoot of Ontario's biodiversity Council. BEAN will be featured on our site in April as we approach International Biodiversity Day on May 22.
The Royal Botanical Gardens is one of our oldest partners. We are pleased and proud to team up with RBG while we Keep Ontario Beautiful.
Conservation & Environment Committee
Carol Dunk (Chair), Don Matthews, Suzanne Hanna
Jennifer Plaus, Robert Simmons, Pat Stachon
Green Schools Pilot Initiative
The Ontario Government is promoting pilots of green technology in schools.
Read about the program here
Calculate Your Carbon Footprint
What's the carbon footprint of you and your family?
Calculate it here.
Green Apple School Program
Metro stores across Quebec and Ontario are offering grant dollars to schools. The purpose of the grant is to encourage young people in Ontario and Quebec to consider a healthier environment and to make healthy living choices.
You may access the Green Apple web site at this URL:
Green Apple School Program
The Food Game
Watch the movie, FOOD, and then go to the supermarket. You'll never look at food the same way again.
Get a postcard with a list of 10 things you can do to change the system.
Fiskars ProjectOrange Thumb
is a project that provides community garden groups with the tools and materials they need to clean up their communities and enhance their green spaces.
Go here for more information: Fiskars
Help Fund Roadsides
Roadsides is funded project by project. The two pilots will be completed by the Conservation & Environment Committee. We will need about $600 for plants. You can help by sending a donation to the OHA -- noting that the donation is for the Roadsides pilots.
OHA
c/o Janet Moyser, Secretary
45 Blairs Trail
Kincardine ON N2Z 0B3
