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Published Sep 12, 2023 • 2 minute read
Ripley and District Horticultural Society members and pollinator garden creators pose in the new native plant garden at the Ripley Cemetery. Back row from left, Nyla Van der Woude, Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) summer student; Morgan Murray, NWMO engagement associate; Matt McClinchey, Huron-Kinloss facilities and parks supervisor. Front row from left, Christine and Jim Roberts. jpg, KC, apsmc
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Since 2020, growing native wildflowers and shrubs has been the gardening focus for Blair’s Grove residents and Ripley and District Horticultural Society members Christine and Jim Roberts.
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Earlier this year they became volunteer “rangers” for the David Suzuki Foundation Butterflyway program.
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Established in 2017, the aim of the project is to support declining populations of bees and butterflies with sources of food and habitat.
Rangers connect with neighbours and local groups to create habitat gardens in residential yards, school grounds, boulevards and parks. When 12 or more gardens are established, a new Butterflyway is born and is added to a national map.
The gardens included in a Butterflyway can be any size and any distance apart from one another, but they must include native plants and be maintained in ecology-friendly ways.
Initially, permission was granted to plant a native garden in the Ripley Cemetery on either side of the mausoleum. A modest Pollinator Project funding grant was awarded from the Ontario Horticultural Association and the Ripley and District Horticultural Society promised financial support as well.
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However, the scale of the project changed dramatically when it received a grant from the Huron-Kinloss Community Well-Being Program, a partnership between the Township and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) that provides funding to community groups.
The Roberts argue the pollinator garden project aligns closely with the Township’s strategic plan, as it demonstrates environmental consciousness and good stewardship by seeking to restore and protect natural resources.
It also strives to inspire residents to be more aware of environmental challenges, protect nature and take responsibility for that protection.
With the prospect of greater funding, the Roberts expanded their plans to include gardens in their lakeshore neighbourhood in the Pearl Elizabeth Memorial and Langdon parks.
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Much research and planning went into choosing plants based on growing conditions and to ensure continuous blooms from early spring to late fall.
Another important consideration was drought tolerance. Although Township staff watered the mausoleum gardens and neighbours cared for the park gardens this year, once established, the plants should require little maintenance.
The mausoleum gardens contain over 150 plants and each of the smaller park gardens are filled with over 30 specimens. All are doing well.
While they view this endeavour as an important chance to provide material support for pollinators in the form of food and habitat, equally important is the opportunity to educate the public on the beauty of native wildflowers and the need to add more biodiversity to public and home gardens.
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Each garden site is posted with a large sign listing the benefits of native plants and acknowledges the many groups responsible for support: the Township of Huron-Kinloss, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization, the Ontario Horticultural Association, the Ripley and District Horticultural Society and the David Suzuki Foundation Butterflyway program.
The Roberts welcomed their neighbourhood community to an open house in their home gardens in early August and are happy to consult with interested groups and individuals and provide support.
The Blair’s Grove/Lurgan Beach community is close to achieving the goal of being a certified Butterflyway, but the Roberts would like to expand the program to Ripley and Point Clark in the coming year.
Interested groups, homeowners and gardeners are invited to contact Christine at christineroberts153@gmail.com or visit the Ripley and District Horticultural Society booth at the Ripley Fall Fair.
Submitted by Christine Roberts
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