Halifax recognized as official ‘Bee City’ for naturalization efforts

A bee is seen on a flower in downtown Ottawa, in Ottawa, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld)

The The Halifax Regional Municipality has been recognized as an official “Bee City” by Bee City Canada.

The organization recognizes communities and organizations that are taking steps or are committed to future initiatives to help pollinators.

Halifax Regional Council approved a motion to endorse the application for Bee City status in November.

“Achieving Bee City status is a testament to the dedication of our community,” said Mayor Andy Fillmore in a statement Thursday.

“More than 100 volunteers took part in naturalization events, helping transform over 7,500 square metres of municipal land into healthy, pollinator-friendly habitat. Their generosity and hands-on leadership are what make initiatives like this possible.”

To receive official Bee City status, program participants must:

• create, maintain and/or improve pollinator habitats
• educate their community, students, employees and/or customers about the importance of pollinators
• celebrate pollinators during National Pollinator Week, which is the third week of June, or at other times of the year

The status also gives HRM access to expert resources from Bee City Canada to support its ongoing naturalization strategy.

Halifax Regional Council approved a report in July 2022 that provided direction to expand naturalization efforts in parks and right of ways at 32 sites.

“Naturalization is a landscape management approach that focuses on biodiversity and making urban spaces more resilient,” the city explained in a news release. “It includes the use of native or non-invasive grasses, perennials, shrubs and trees.”

HRM is the second Nova Scotia community to be designated a Bee City, after New Glasgow, N.S. There are 93 Bee Cities across Canada.

With files from CTV News Atlantic’s Sean Mott

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