It’s time to become busy worker bees for the fourth annual Kawartha Lakes Bee a Hero Garden Challenge.
With native pollinators disappearing at an alarming rate, Bee City Kawartha Lakes and the Kawartha Lakes Environmental Action Committee are encouraging gardeners to become ‘Bee Heroes’ by creating pollinator-friendly gardens on private and public land.
Until September 15, participants can enter the challenge by submitting a “before” picture of their garden or container prior to it being planted, along with the “after” picture of the garden once it has grown. Along with the images, participants must send in a brief written description of why they chose to create the garden and become a Bee Hero.
“Every year we’re excited to welcome new and returning gardeners to the Bee a Hero Garden Challenge,” says Deborah Pearson, Kawartha Lakes Environmental Action Committee chair, in a media release. “The more people we have participate in this great initiative, the better life will be for all pollinators in the Kawartha Lakes.”
Gardeners are asked to follow at least one of the tips listed on the Bee City section of the City of Kawartha Lakes’ website under the pollinator-friendly gardens heading, such as choosing native plants rich in pollen, planting multiples of the same plant together in large groupings, choosing single-bloom flowering varieties, choosing plants that bloom from spring to fall, and more.
Winners will be chosen in each of three categories: children’s garden (for kids aged 12 and under), adult’s garden (for ages 13 and older), and container garden. Winners will be chosen at the end of the submission period and will be recognized by the City of Kawartha Lakes mayor and council at a future council meeting. All participants will receive a certificate of recognition for their work as a Bee Hero in Kawartha Lakes.
“From experienced gardeners to youth groups learning the importance of pollinator-friendly gardens, we’re always excited to see what our pollinator-friendly community in Kawartha Lakes is capable of,” Pearson says.
There were six contestants making un-bee-lievable progress towards their pollinator-friendly gardens were chosen as Bee Heroes for last year’s competition, including Lindsay Community Gardens, BGC Kawarthas, Angela Kelley, Elizabeth Elliot, Heather Stresman, and Sandra Morrison.
To enter this year’s challenge, visit forms.kawarthalakes.ca/2023-Bee-Hero-Garden-Challenge.
