Bit Of A Buzz In Orillia
City designated official Bee City
You might call Orillia a ‘honey’ of a city.
It has been given official status as a Bee City for the efforts of residents and the City to bring awareness to the need for healthy, sustainable habitats for pollinators.
“Becoming a Bee City highlights the bee-friendly initiatives the City of Orillia has in place,” said “We are pleased to work with the Bee City Working Group to help educate the community regarding the importance of pollinators to the overall health of our area and our planet. We encourage residents and businesses to join us in adopting pollinator-friendly habits throughout Orillia.”
– Mayor Steve Clarke, Mayor of Orillia
The City has more than 70 annual and perennial gardens and two community gardens with pollinator species planted throughout them. In addition, two butterfly gardens have been planted with species to attract butterflies and bees specifically. The City also has more than 140 flowering hanging baskets located in the downtown.
New designs and construction projects will promote the creation of new gardens in parks, recreation centres, parking lots, and other public spaces with the intent to improve pollinator habitats.
Newmarket, King Township and Severn Township have also been designated as Bee Cities.
Bee City Canada was founded in 2015. Toronto became the first Bee City in Canada in March 2016. There are currently 28 Canadian municipalities with the designation, including Newmarket, Guelph, and King Township.
