All week, we're giving out pollinator seed packets to help our community attract pollinators! Pick up your free seed packets at the Township Municipal Office (130 Balm Beach Road West, Tiny).
Pollinator Week
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Event type
It's pollinator week and Tiny is celebrating! As a designated Bee City, the Township has committed to bringing awareness to pollinators throughout the year, especially on this important week.
Pollinator Week promotes awareness surrounding pollinators and calls on us to take action to protect them. In Tiny, we invite the community to participate in events, learn more about pollinators, such as beetles, ants, and butterflies, and create a bee-friendly habitat. Check out the various activities you can do below.
What's Happening this Pollinator Week
Pollinator Walk through Wyevale
Starting at Wyevale Central Public School (20 Concession Road 5 East, Tiny)
Time TBDJoin us on a delightful pollinator walk through the picturesque village of Wyevale! Discover a treasure trove of vibrant flowers and buzzing pollinators, creating a harmonious ecosystem. Reflect on the significance of these remarkable creatures and the pivotal role they play in maintaining our natural environment. This unique experience not only showcases the beauty of Wyevale but also emphasizes the importance of sustainable practices and the benefits of utilizing active transportation methods like walking or cycling.
Guardians of the Watershed: Protecting Native Pollinators & Combating
Invasive Species PresentationTownship of Tiny Community Centre (91 Concession Road 8 East, Tiny)
5:00pm to 6:00pmPollinators are insects, birds or mammals that spread pollen from one plant to another as they navigate flowers for food. Pollinators are an integral part of any ecosystem and are critical for human food production. Without them we wouldn’t have many of our fruits and vegetables, or honey! Severn Sound Environmental Association works to protect and preserve the Severn Sound Watershed through various programs and projects, such as Invasive Species Program and Project 4 Pollinators. The Invasive Species Program Coordinator, Patrick Jackson, will discuss the importance of healthy native pollinators and the impact various invasive species are having around the watershed.
About the Presenter - Patrick Jackson (SSEA)
Patrick holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts and Science Degree in Geography, and a Masters in Environmental Sustainability focusing on carbon sequestration in wetlands. He has a passion for the environment, focusing his conservation efforts in Central Ontario through his work with local organizations such as Wye Marsh, Georgian Bay Islands National Park, and Lakehead University.
The Secret Life of Pollinators & Wildflowers Presentation
Township of Tiny Community Garden (Perkinsfield Park, 43 County Road 6 South, Tiny)
5:00pm to 6:00pmIn this exciting presentation, we will dive into the fascinating world of pollinators and highlight the crucial role that bees and wildflowers play in our ecosystem. Discover the intricate relationship between these remarkable creatures and the vibrant wildflowers that populate our Community Gardens. Gain a deeper understanding of the vital role that pollinators play in sustaining plant biodiversity and ensuring the production of our favorite fruits, vegetables, and seeds. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Gardens as you learn about the various plants that attract and support pollinators. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your knowledge and appreciation for the indispensable contribution of bees and wildflowers in our environment!
About the Presenter - Paul Bell
Paul looked after bees for his first time when he was a summer student working at the Kortright Centre for Conservation. It motivated him to get his masters and Ph.D in Entomology. Most of his career he conducted research on biological control of forest insects and taught as a professor at university and college in Ontario. Today he simply swats at mosquitoes, like the rest of us.
Field-to-Fork Cooking Class: Exploring Edible Weeds & Honey Delights
Wyebridge Community Centre (8340 Highway 93, Tiny)
5:00pm to 6:00pmJoin us for a delightful culinary adventure during Pollinator Week as we delve into the fascinating world of edible weeds, pollinator-friendly dishes, wildflowers, and the golden nectar of the bees – honey! In this unique cooking class, we will explore the abundance of nature's bounty and learn how to create delectable dishes that not only please our taste buds but also support the vital role of pollinators in our ecosystem.
Register for the cooking class
About the Chef - André Sanche
Culinary is a second career for André Sanche, who started his journey 20 years ago as a graduate of the Culinary Management Program at Algonquin College in Ottawa. He has worked in many different settings, including Milestones, Hotel Breakfast cook, Food Styling for Foodland Ontario, working with the Chef of the British High Commission both at the Residence and his personal Bistro. He moved to Simcoe County in 2010 and opened a Food Shop in the Midland Area. Today, he is doing Consulting work on Start-ups and management for on-going operations, full-time as a buyer for an Artisanal Canadian Food Distributor and teaching part time at Georgian College within the Culinary Department.
Pollinator Walk along the Tiny Trail
Starting at Bernie LeClair Parkette (99 Balm Beach Road East, Tiny)
10:30am to 12:00pmEmbark on a captivating pollinator walk from Bernie Leclair Parkette along the Tiny Trail. Discover a mesmerizing pollinator garden while embracing the importance of active transportation. Learn about the vital role of pollinators and experience the joy of walking or cycling through nature, minimizing your carbon footprint. This enlightening journey showcases the beauty of Wyevale and champions a greener future.
Ecoregional Planting Guides
Stuck inside? This is the perfect time to plan how you can enhance your garden or landscaping for monarchs in 2023 and beyond! These guides provide not only regional plant recommendations, but also information and best management practices on planning, preparing, and maintaining your pollinator habitat.
Native Plant Finder
Discover the power of the Native Plant Finder, a user-friendly tool that simplifies the selection of native plants supporting pollinators. Developed in collaboration with Pollinator Partnership Canada, this innovative tool draws on expert guidance and ecoregional information to create customized plant lists for your region's requirements. Join the movement towards a thriving ecosystem by using the Native Plant Finder and make a positive impact on pollinators and the environment.
What else is Tiny doing for the Environment?
The Township of Tiny is very committed to a healthy, sustainable environment. Continue reading below to learn more about how you can also contribute to an eco-friendly Tiny.
The Township of Tiny is honoured to be recognized as the first Blue Community in Ontario and the third in all of Canada. As a result, Tiny does not sell single-use bottled water in its facilities or provide it at municipal meetings and events where access to municipal tap water is available. You can help by committing to using re-useable water bottles and avoid single use plastic water bottles.
The Township of Tiny Community Garden, located at Perkinsfield Park, 43 County Road 6 South, is a place for everyone in the community to get involved. Plant veggies, learn how to garden, or just come to see what we’ve got growing! The garden is an educational tool where people of all ages can learn to grow and care for their own food producing plants. Residents can rent a garden plot, or volunteer to help Tiny grow produce to donate to local food banks and shelters.
Invasive species refers to any plant, animal, or insect that is not native to Ontario. The danger of invasive species is that they have the ability to compete with, and replace, native Ontario species in their natural habitat. You can volunteer to help prevent the spread of invasive species in Tiny. Volunteer to help remove invasive species like Phragmites and Spotted Knapweed. Or volunteer as a Trail and/or Beach Monitor to help identify and report invasive species in Tiny.
Pollinator Week is a great time to take a close look at your property and see what invasive species may be present. Non-native, invasive species such as Periwinkle, Goutweed and English Ivy are often in gardens - the Grow Me Instead Guide is an excellent resource for information on common garden invaders and suggestions of native species to plant instead. Be on the lookout for other common invasive species in urban and rural areas in the Severn Sound watershed area: Garlic Mustard, Gypsy Moth (present in spring as egg masses attached to tree trunks, buildings and furniture) and Glossy Buckthorn.
The Township of Tiny supports individuals and community groups interested in keeping Tiny litter-free. You can 'Adopt a Road', sign up an individual or get together with your neighbours to remove litter from beaches, roadways and green spaces in Tiny. Through the Township's Volunteer Program, you will be provided with training, gloves, garbage bags, safety equipment, signage and refreshments. The Township will also pick up the garbage bags from the litter-free location afterwards, so no need to try and fit it in with your own curbside collection.
Pollinators are any insect or animal that moves pollen from one plant to another. Here in the Township of Tiny, we have many different pollinators like bees, butterflies and birds! Did you know, in 2017 Tiny received Provincial Funding to create over 2000m2 of wildflower gardens and meadows in Tiny? You can help by planting wildflowers on your own property.
Severn Sound Environmental Association and the Township of Tiny are working together to provide residents with reasonably priced, native tree and shrub seedlings for planting in early spring each year. You can help 'Tree Tiny' by purchasing and planting tree seedlings from SSEA.
Each year the Township of Tiny hosts a series of special community events. The Township is committed to keeping events eco-friendly through a series of initiatives: compostable plates, cutlery and food supplies, recycling and compost bins available throughout event sites, restricted use of plastics and styrofoam (balloons, straws, tablecloths, water bottles), water-bottle refill stations (with compostable cups available) and eco-friendly information and vendor booths on site. You can help by providing more tips on how the Township of Tiny Events can become even greener, or by volunteering at a special community event.