Arthur, Ont.- Today, the County of Wellington held a dedication ceremony for the Jack Benham Pollinator Sanctuary. As part of the Solid Waste Services Strategy, the preferred use of the County’s closed landfill sites is to include a continuation of ongoing naturalization efforts, with particular emphasis on establishing pollinator habitat.
Pollinator habitat has been promoted through the planting of flowering trees, shrubs and wildflowers at the Riverstown and Aberfoyle landfill sites. Over the past several years, the former Arthur landfill site has been transformed into a pollinator sanctuary.
Local Conservationist Mr. Jack Benham has been central to the creation of the pollinator sanctuary in Arthur. Mr. Benham and a team of local volunteers have planted, maintained and constructed pollinator food sources and habitat.
Pollinator habitat is attractive to butterflies, moths and bees for pollination, or as a food source for larvae. A variety of pollinator friendly trees, shrubs, and wildflowers have been planted which will bloom at different times throughout the year to provide food source to pollinators from Spring through Fall.
“On behalf of County Council, I am pleased to the dedicate this beautiful pollinator sanctuary in Mr. Jack Benham’s name,” said Warden Chris White. “Mr. Benham and a team of local volunteers, performed much of the work that went into creating the pollinator sanctuary."
Studies on pollinator populations suggest there is a large decline in their numbers due to a variety of factors that impact their health. Continuing to establish pollinator food sources and habitat at the County’s closed landfill sites helps support these species locally throughout the County and helps pollinators continue to support local agriculture through their pollination services.
-30-
Media Contact:
Das Soligo, Solid Waste Services Manager
519.837.2601 x 2400
dass@wellington.ca
