CHAT News File Photo

By Chris Brown

Natural habitat for pollinators

Pollinator Park created in Police Point Park

Jul 6, 2020 | 12:57 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – A small section of Police Point Park has a new name and a new purpose.

An area east of the visitor centre has been designated as a Pollinator Park and will promote habitat for native pollinators like bumblebees, butterflies, beetles, leaf cutter bees and sweat bees.

The City of Medicine Hat and students from the Environmental Reclamation program with Medicine Hat College have planted native plants, including wildflowers in the area.

“Pollinator Parks provide a natural habitat for pollinator species, which may be harmed by various landscaping methods, like mowing and pesticide use,” said Keziah Lesko-Gosselin, parks technician with the City of Medicine Hat. “Healthy ecosystems need bees and butterflies in order to survive and thrive.

Increasing the native pollinators habitat will help local plant-producers, as well as provide an opportunity for Medicine Hat residents and visitors to learn about and interact with pollinator habitat and populations, says the city.

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“Without insects, like bees and butterflies, different plant species wouldn’t survive,” Lesko-Gosselin said. “We want residents to enjoy the Pollinator Park and the insects we’re attracting.”

People will be allowed to enter the park once the plants are established.

More information on this and other happenings at Police Point Park can be found at natureline.info.