Title
POLLINATE BARRIE
A) ALIGNING POLICY WITH CLIMATE EMERGENCY/ACTION
B) PROMOTING POLLINATOR PLANTS AND NATIVE SPECIES
C) BOULEVARD GARDEN EDUCATIONAL DEMO
D) SIGNS FOR EDUCATING AND ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY
E) CITY CONTACT
F) CROSS EDUCATING CITY BY-LAW
G) NOXIOUS WEEDS
Kelly Patterson-McGrath provided a presentation on Creating Native Pollinator Habits in the City of Barrie.
Ms. Patterson-McGrath discussed slides concerning the following topics:
• Climate Action: the City of Barrie declared a climate emergency and created the Community Energy Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan;
• Taking Action: such as educating on the benefits of naturalized, native plants, and trees;
• Native vs. Non-Native: such as deeper roots to absorb excessive rainwater to prevent runoff and water pollution;
• Pollinators: bees, bats, and butterflies are a few that provide pollination to different plants, which helps to produce some of the food we eat;
• What other cities are doing: educating the public, promoting and supporting natural landscapes and native boulevard gardens, as well as amending by-laws;
• City of Barrie Boulevard Policy - By-law: encourage and promote incorporating native plants, outline weed and species that cannot be planted, and develop City approved signage; and
• Action Opportunities: a pollinator and edible demonstration garden, a pollinator native species habitat at Centennial Park, and lead by example to support Climate Action.
The Committee discussed boulevard gardens, approved signage, and asked questions of Ms. Patterson-McGrath and received responses.