Really Important Park Board Meeting this Monday: Green Space Issues and Pollinator Proposal

Head up folks!

This Monday ( March 31) two very important topics are being discussed: the proposal for no net loss of green space and a proposal to use park space and staff expertise to create enhanced pollinator habitat.

I'll write more on these topics but I just wanted to let you know that if these issues are dear to your heart you can read the  relevant info and sign up to speak at the meetings to show your support for our bees! (The link is here.)

Highlights from Park Board Commissioner Niki Sharma's Pollinator Project Proposal:
 

C.

Staff be directed to work with the VanDusen Botanical Garden

Association, Environmental Youth Alliance, Hives for Humanity and

other groups to develop a brand for promoting pollinators across the

city in spring 2014. 

 

D.

Staff be directed to begin to test methods in 2014 for enhancing

pollinators in parks such as creating unmowed meadows, planting

flowering trees and shrubs, using more native plants in park planting,

and restoring overwintering habitats. 

 

E.

Staff be directed to work with other City departments to enhance

pollinators in streets and development sites.

Vancouver Bird Week Launch

 Here's some more photos of the launch of Vancouver's Bird Week with people making messages of encouragement for the migrating hummingbirds. These photos are by Alan Duncan, Environmental Planner at Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation.

Welcome Back Rufous!: It's Bird Week in Vancouver

 I was lucky to be at the official opening of Bird Week in Vancouver, inviting people to make messages of hope and love for our Rufous hummingbirds returning from Mexico and for our nesting Anna's. Hummingbirds squeaked and dove above us and herons squawked and carried twigs to their formidable nests above the tennis courts. This must represent the two ends of the spectrum--our smallest and largest nests! I also gave out sunflower seeds to plant for the birds and the bees and columbine seeds for bumble bees and hummingbirds.

Please do check out the rest of the events, including bird walks all over the city on Saturday May 11.