What’s the buzz? Get ready to celebrate Pollinator Week

June 17 to 23 is Pollinator Week in Mississauga. Pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, beetles or hummingbirds, are essential for the city’s ecosystem. A pollinator is an insect, bird or mammal that carries pollen from the male part of the flower to the female part of the same or another flower. They play a crucial role in pollinating plants, which provides food and habitats for other animals.

Pollination is important for many of our flowering plants. This includes the crops that we rely on for food, as well as trees and shrubs that provide essential fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds and oils. Without pollination, these plants would not be able to produce the resources that sustain our diets and ecosystems. That’s why it’s important to protect pollinators and their habitats.

To celebrate Pollinator Week, the City is hosting events for you to participate in and support our pollinators.

Pollinator Week events

Pollinator-friendly container gardens webinar

Tuesday, June 18 from 6 to 7 p.m.
Register

Free wildflower giveaway (while supplies last)

Mississauga Valley Community Centre
Saturday, June 22 from 1 to 3 p.m.

How the City supports pollinators

As a designated Bee City, the City is taking significant actions to help pollinators thrive. The City continues to preserve and improve its natural heritage by planting native plants and flowers in gardens. This helps support pollinators, creating a healthier ecosystem.

The City is home to two tallgrass prairies at Jack Darling Memorial Park and Lorne Park Prairie. These prairies provide an important habitat for pollinators like bees and butterflies, as well as rare species that rely on unique plants found only in tallgrass prairies.

The City is also working towards planting one million more trees and shrubs in Mississauga by 2032. Trees and shrubs provide habitat for our pollinators. Trees also help improve air quality, prevent flooding and decrease energy demand for cooling in the summer.

How you can support pollinators in Mississauga

Plant a pollinator-friendly garden

Creating a garden filled with native, pollinator-friendly flowers and plants not only adds beauty to your home, but also helps support pollinators. Even if you only have a porch or balcony, a raised pollinator garden with wildflowers is a great option to promote biodiversity. These are great ways to help pollinators, add some colour to your home and help other beneficial insects and animals.

Apply for a boulevard garden permit

Consider planting a garden that attracts pollinators on your boulevard, the strip of land between your property and the street.

For more information about forestry, visit: mississauga.ca/forestry.

Tags

• Parks and Forestry
• Things to Do