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Pollinator Day teaches the importance of native plants, proper garden care

Writer's picture: ESSEX FREE PRESSESSEX FREE PRESS



by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative 

The Maidstone Bicentennial Museum is abuzz with youth ideas and help this summer, as it was fortunate enough to get a Canada Summer Grant to hire three post secondary students and take on a few high school co-op students.

  These students have been spending their summer learning about local history, artifact care, and how to properly look after the 18-year-old Heritage Garden onsite, which is brimming with over 50 species of native plants, shrubs, and trees.

  On Saturday, these students were able to display what they have learned to date during the Maidstone Bicentennial Museum's Pollinator Day.




  This was an educational event to raise awareness about pollinators.

  The students manned many stations set up around the museum grounds, each teaching about a different pollinator – such as birds, bees, and butterflies – or about native plants. 

  The event was offered to anyone – any age – who may have wanted to learn how they can support pollinators, or perhaps wanted to learn about the important role they play in the ecosystem.

  When it comes to caring for pollinators, Victoria Beaulieu, Curator at the Maidstone Bicentennial Museum, noted every little bit helps. That can be as simple as putting a pot of milkweed on the patio. 

  The event offered crafts to entertain the little ones, such as making a butterfly out of a coffee filter.

  Visitors to the site also had a chance to learn about using beeswax to make candles, and learned there are 400 types of bees native to Ontario and 800 to Canada.

  Beaulieu noted pollinator numbers are declining, and that has been noticed in the Heritage Garden onsite, which was certified as Habitat Friendly by the Canadian Wildlife Federation. So far this summer, she had not been able to find a Monarch Butterfly caterpillar in the Museum's garden, which is not typical. 

  One way to help pollinators is by not cleaning up gardens until there has been one week of 50-degree Fahrenheit weather. Many pollinators hibernate in the debris and that practice helps to protect them.

  She is grateful for all the student help this summer.

  "We learn from them, and they learn from us. It is a nice balance," Beaulieu said.

  She noted the students worked really hard leading up to the event to prepare. 

  "They learned a lot," she said.

  Co-op Student Sierra Jillson and Canada Summer Grants Student Addie Toll are Belle River High School students. They helped out their grandparents on their farm growing up and very much enjoyed the experience.

  That involvement helped lead them to get involved at the Maidstone Bicentennial Museum.  

  Jillson would like to get into archeology and saw the Museum as a way to also learn about caring for and working with artifacts.

  Toll is thinking about getting into nursing and may pursue a more holistic pathway. Having the opportunity to learn about native plants the Indigenous used for medicinal purposes is a great learning experience.

  Both girls noted they are learning a lot and are enjoying the experience.

  Myah Lewis began as a summer student at the Maidstone Bicentennial Museum five-years ago. Last summer, she worked for the University of Guelph, where she is studying Family Relations and Human Development, to work in the sustainability department. 

  She recalls always having an interest in plants, including having plenty of plants in her room. Being at the Bicentennial Museum has taught her the value native plants can have on pollinators. That knowledge led her to getting an opportunity to build a pollinator garden at the University of Guelph last year.

  Having learned about native plants, Lewis has learned to be more mindful about the impact of her actions.

  She is very interested in making natural areas accessible. That includes how to get seniors who reside in assisted living facilities to nature.

  Another student partnership included having the Belle River High School Environmental Studies class out at the Museum to help plant native plants. In exchange, Beaulieu will help the students plant a pollinator garden at the high school.

  Those wishing to learn more can visit the Museum on Saturday, July 20 and Sunday July 21, from 10am-3pm during the Open Garden Tour event.

  This event will have Master Gardeners onsite, who will be available to answer any questions individuals may have.

  Beaulieu said it will be a casual and fun event. Here, visitors can learn about the native plants and their relationship to Indigenous medicinal use or to pollinators.

  In addition, there are slots available for the Museum's summer camp program, which starts this week. It is open to all types of groups, from youth to seniors. 

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