Richmond is bringing back its Nectar Trail initiative to help local pollinators such as bees and butterflies find safe garden spaces and to boost urban biodiversity.
The initiative coincides with Pollinator Week, which runs from June 16 to 22.
The City of Richmond is inviting residents, businesses and organizations to take part by planting, maintaining and registering at least one square metre of pollinator-friendly garden space on their property.
These gardens should be pesticide-free and include drought-tolerant plants such as nootka rose, sweet alyssum and golden rod, which bloom from spring through fall.
Private gardens will act as "stepping stones" to connect larger habitat hubs like Bridgeport Pasture (at the Bridgeport Industrial Park), Terra Nova Meadow, Garden City Lands, Richmond Nature Park and other agricultural areas, while giving pollinators places to rest and feed as they travel through the city.
Anyone who signs up for the Nectar Trail at Richmond Nature Park can pick up a free seed packet.
The park's beekeeper will also host an information table on Saturday, June 21, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., to share why bees are important to our ecosystem. Mini honey cookies will be served to visitors.
An interactive map showcasing all registered nectar trail gardens, including the city's pollinator sites, can be found at LetsTalkRichmond.ca/NectarTrail.
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