To be or not to be a Bee City

Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A member of the Uxbridge Horticultural Society made a case for Uxbridge to become an official Bee City in a deputation to council on Monday.

Anne Kern, who is also a member of the Environmental Sustainability Committee, said Canada's native bees are at risk because of habitat loss and pollution.

"This isn't about honey bees," Kern said, noting honey bees are not native to Canada and are part of the agricultural sector. She said the concern is for the 800 native species of bees in Canada (Ontario has 400 different species) and their role as pollinators

She said becoming a Bee City would lead to residents being educated about the importance of pollinators and how to grow more native plants to sustain them and would fit in with the designation of Uxbridge as a bird-friendly community and Trail Capital Of Canada.

"The work has already begun," she said, referring to the mini-forests being established around town by the Rotary Club of Uxbridge. "They are incorporating native plants into the mini-forests."

She said there would be a small number of criteria to be met to become a Bee City and the designation would cost $200 a year.

Mayor Dave Barton suggested that council put off any action for at least a month to give staff an opportunity to talk to local farmers about the idea.

Cities, towns, municipalities and First Nations can apply to become a Bee City. An annual fee applies based on population. First Nations can join for free.

Universities and colleges can join a Bee Campus program for a small annual renewal fee, and schools can join the Bee School program and bring pollinators into the classroom. The Bee School program is free.

Other Bee Cities in Ontario include Gravenhurst, Fort Erie, the Township of Georgina, Whitchurch-Stouffville, Peterborough, Belleville, Cambridge, Brampton, Collingwood, Midland, Barrie, Oshawa, Ajax, Richmond Hill, Newmarket, Niagara Falls, Whitby, Kawartha Lakes, Stratford and Toronto.

For more information, visit beecitycanada.org