New pollinator garden planned for community in Welland

Welland is getting a community pollinator garden in a new city park.

The City of Welland and the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority are looking for volunteers to help plant the native pollinator garden.

The garden will be in the new Sparrow Meadows Park, located on Julia Drive, at the end of Gaiser Road, according to a press release from the City of Welland.

It is hoped the garden will attract a variety of pollinators including bees, butterflies, birds, and other insects, that aid in transferring pollen from flower to flower.

Pollinators are crucial in pollinating more than 70 per cent of food crops, including fruits, vegetables and grains.

“Many pollinators worldwide are under serious threat due to pesticides, pollution, habitat loss, disease and climate change,” said Dave Steven, Welland manager of parks, forestry, cemeteries, operations and development.

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Volunteers are needed to plant native wildflower species that will serve as either host plants or nectar sources for native pollinator species.

“Pollinator habitat in urban spaces can have large environmental benefits including increased biodiversity, wildlife viewing opportunities, water conservation and water quality improvements,” said the Conservation Authority’s manager of climate change and special programs, Natalie Green.

The Sparrow Meadows garden will be the newest addition to the Mickey DiFruscio and Family Legacy Pollinator Project gardens planted across the Niagara Peninsula watershed since 2017.

The initiative honours the late Mickey DiFruscio, who served on the Conservation Authority board from 1993 to 2019 and dedicated 25 years to improving the local environment.

The planting is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 9, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sparrow Meadows Park, 321 Julia Dr.

In case of rain, the event will be on Saturday, Sept. 16.

Community members interested in volunteering can sign up by emailing [email protected].