Since 1970, Earth Day is held annually on April 23 to celebrate nature around the world and highlight important environmental issues.
This year Earth Day focused on the theme “Restore Our Earth”, highlighting “natural processes, emerging green technologies, and innovative thinking that can restore the world’s ecosystems.” This includes strengthening healthy, sustainable relationships between people and the natural world.
In recognizing the importance of gardens and their role in habitat enhancement, the Beatty Heritage House Society is hosting a free online webinar for local gardeners, “Designing for Pollinators” on Tuesday evening May 4, from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
In this presentation, Living Lands Landscape’s founder Cynthia Pohl will share her practical knowledge and advice on pollinator garden design:
- Discover what Pollinators of the Parkland ecosystem we can support with a biodiverse garden plan
- Discover the key garden elements of a successful pollinator habitat
- Learn how to select plants for pollinators for maximum aesthetic and ecological value.
- Learn how to design and maintain your garden with pollinators in mind.
Pollinators are creatures needed by many plant types to fertilize each other to create fruits, seeds, and new plants. These creatures play a vitally important role in sustaining plant diversity and habitat for all living organisms, including people.
The Canadian Wildlife Federation website states “…pollinators are responsible for one out of every three bites of food we take; they ensure the reproduction of over 90 per cent of flowering plants in the world.”
With pollinator numbers declining due to factors such as pesticides, disease, climate change, and habitat loss, it’s more important than ever to recognize the seriousness of this issue - for nature’s sake and for the security of our food systems - and to protect and enhance pollinator-friendly environments where we can.
Landscaping for pollinators is one of the easiest ways for urban, suburban, and rural homeowners to create pollinator habitat.
When we design our spaces to support pollinator health, we also build valuable connections to the natural world: connections that support life cycles, that bring beauty and wonder into our gardens, and that have us feeling good both physically and mentally. Your garden will be not just a beautiful space, but one that is more interesting and environmentally valuable!
Award-winning Green Roof Professional and principal of Living Lands Landscape + Design, an ecological landscape design/build company, Pohl is passionate about connecting with nature. Over her 20 years as a professional journeyman gardener, Pohl has inspired thousands to make a connection with Nature, whether in backyards, communities, or three storeys up on a green roof.
Preregister on or before May 2 by email, by contacting the Beatty Heritage House Society at bhhsociety@gmail.com, or by phoning Florence at 403-843-3443.
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