The Saga of a Pollinator Patch
Follow the progress of a pollinator patch from the beginning in May 2010. Ssee photos of the development of the patch in our Roadsides Blog
For more about pollinators, visit our links page.
I couldn't bear to hide these links on the Links page. What great ideas for the caring gardener!
In many gardens and public places, you are going to find more and more structures built for insects and primarily for bees. Orchards will also sport them.
For some great ideas including designer bee walls,
go to this link
And for an invertebrate habitat that really takes the cake, see this one from England!
The very first Roadsides Pollinator Patch is up and growing! The Barrie Ontario group planted the patch on May 22.
Give our native bees a place to live and grow. Plant your own Pollinator Patch.
Watch the website in August. Soon you will be able to download our Guide to Creating A Pollinator Patch.
The guide will provide you with information about our native pollinators and instructions to complete your own Pollinator Patch. Get on the bandwagon and garden for pollinators.
Watering is one of the chores for the first few months.
Watch Out For Giant Hogweed!
Giant Hogweed (also known as Giant Cow Parsnip) originally came from A
sia as a garden ornamental. This plant is settling into North America and may appear in your backyard.
Giant Hogweed is a dangerous plant. The sap from the plant contains toxins that cause photodermatitis. Skin contact followed by exposure to the sun produces painful blisters that will develop into scars. It can also cause temporary or even permanent blindness should the sap come in contact with eyes.
If you accidentally come in contact with the sap of Giant Hogweed, immediately was the contacted area with soap and water, avoid sunlight to that area and seek medical attention.
Never use a weed-whacker to control this plant. Disposal of the plant must be done carefully. Wear protective clothig including long waterproof gloves and eye protection. .
If you find Giant Hogweed on your property, contact the Ministry of Natural Resources for more information.
Conservation & Environment Committee
Carol Dunk (Chair), Don Matthews, Suzanne Hanna
Jennifer Plaus, Robert Simmons, Pat Stachon
Ontario Plant A Tree Challenge
The Ontario Government is promoting the planting of trees in communities.
For information about the trees that grow well in your area, go here
What Goes Into Making 500 Million Phone books?
-19 million trees need to be harvested
-1.6 billion pounds of paper are wasted
-7.2 million barrels of oil are misspent in their processing (not including the wasted gas used for their delivery to your doorstep)
-268,000 cubic yards of landfill are taken up
-3.2 billion kilowatt hours of electricity are squandered
More information 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.
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
