Work Bees For Pollinators at Akhavan
As we are approaching mid-July the work bees for pollinator gardens in front of Akhavan supermarket on St Jacques continue. Weather has made it difficult. Extreme heat of a few weeks ago has given way to rain drenching weather. But because of the initiative and under the leadership of Louise Chenevert the work progresses.
She approached the manager of Akhavan last year to suggest that the strip of land between the sidewalk and his parking lot change from hard packed wasteland to a garden supporting pollinating insects so essential to the health of our flora. The manager was agreeable. She took the further initiative of approaching the City of Montreal to ask that they designate her as guardian of this land and support her efforts. They agreed also. This land strip actually belongs to the city.
Early in the summer Louise took the further step in approaching Innovation Jeunes. They are a volunteer group of young people dedicated to food justice. Part of their mission is to find misused spaces and green them. They joined Louise in being the first to break up the hard pan for the eventual pollinator gardens.
After some setbacks because of rain the efforts to plant pollinator gardens are back again. The two end gardens of this strip already have milkweed plants that are quite mature. Because of the substantial size of the long strip of land it will take a few more work bees to complete the work.
Under Louise's guidance the helpers are learning to recognize native pollinator plants already growing in place. They are saved, sometimes transplanted to a new location.
The importance of good relations with Akhavan for the Falaise St Jacques can not be emphasized too much. They are just west to the entrance of Bird Valley to the Falaise. They have been gracious in allowing visitors to the Falaise to park in their parking lot.
I am most impressed by the indulgence that has taken place. I will check it out!
ReplyDeleteLouis R