Guelph City Councillor Vicki Beard is among only five from Canada, the United States and Mexico to be recognized by the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC) with the 2007 Pollinator Advocate Award.
The honour – to be presented to Councillor Beard in Washington DC tomorrow – recognizes her efforts to protect existing pollinator habitats and foster new ones, and for her work to raise awareness about the importance of pollinators. “Pollinators are just one piece of our complex natural world,” explains Councillor Beard. “Without them, we would cease to exist.”
North America has experienced a significant decline in pollinators – including bees, butterflies, humming birds, and moths – in recent years. Pollinators are endangered by development, which destroys or fragments their natural habitats; pesticides; insecticides; and bacterial and fungal disease.
Though not widely recognized, pollinators are crucial for crop production, and for allowing plants to grow and thrive. Most foods, beverages, and many medicines are derived from crops that are pollinated by animals. Without them, crop production is put at risk.
Councillor Beard points out that while small areas of land for habitat are a good start, North America needs large areas for pollinator habitats as well. Her work with City staff and the University of Guelph has involved discussion of what a pollinator habitat might look like in Guelph.
Mayor Farbridge commends Councillor Beard’s commitment to the issue and congratulates her on this significant and prestigious achievement. “Vicki has worked very hard with City staff and the University of Guelph on this issue. We are proud that one of our own has been recognized as a North American leader in advocacy for pollinator species.”
Councillor Beard, who was nominated for the Pollinator Advocate Award by Dr. Peter Kevan and Dr. Vernon Thomas of the University of Guelph, devotedly maintains a garden on her own property that measures three quarters of an acre and is home to more than 350 plant species. The plants are ‘pollinator-friendly,’ and were chosen so they could support pollinators during each phase of their lives.
About the Pollinator Advocate Award
The Pollinator Advocate Award is given to a maximum of five individuals from Canada, the United States and Mexico who have contributed significantly during the year to the protection and increased awareness of pollinator species.
Recipients must be nominated. A committee appointed by the Steering Committee, with representation from each country in NAPPC, determine the criteria and make the selection. The winners will be recognized at the NAPPC reception in Washington DC on October 24, 2007.
About NAPPC
More than 70 organizations across Canada, the U.S., and Mexico have joined together in support of pollinator protection to form the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign. Find out more about pollination issues by visiting www.nappc.org.