Town of Collingwood

Collingwood had a second positive year as a Bee City Canada community. The Town continues to receive positive feedback about the established pollinator gardens and special event initiatives from the public.

Local collaborations grew again this year with the Town of Collingwood working with local eNGOs in support of Earth Day, the Garden Club of Collingwood partnering on two native pollinator gardens at the Collingwood Arboretum, Blue Mountain Watershed Trust showcasing two pollinator-based ‘Be the Change’ documentaries, and Pollinate Collingwood providing free plants, seeds, and information at special events hosted by other organisations. These activities were opportunities to connect with new and diverse audiences while collaborating with local organisations.

Pollinate Collingwood worked with the Town of Collingwood, a local condominium corporation, and schools to establish new pollinator habitat in addition to the aforementioned gardens. The group also maintained existing pollinator gardens from the previous years and nurtured community relationships that they previously formed.

The Town of Collingwood and Pollinate Collingwood introduced the Bees + Trees Canopy Program, a rebate program supported by a generous donation from Julie Di Lorenzo. This program encourages residents to plant native grasses, forbs and trees in support of native pollinators.

Although COVID-related restrictions have eased, public engagement still comes with limitations such as smaller venues and lower attendance. Most people still wore masks to indoor presentations, however, we trust that community engagement opportunities will continue to increase with time.

In 2022, there was minimal coverage of Bee City Canada, native plant gardening, or native insects by local news and media, but 2021 had an exceptional number of interactions. 2023 should bring more with the introduction of the Town of Collingwood Pollinator Protection Plan and special events