Speaker discusses importance of bees, pollinator garden in Claresholm

By Rob Vogt

Claresholm has been deemed a critical habitat for bees.
To that end, in June, pollinator gardens will be created at the Frog Creek Wetlands and the Bark Park, to create habitat for bees.
That was just one of the messages delivered by Debra Still, restoration manager for the Oldman Watershed Council, to more than 30 people gathered at the Claresholm Social Centre on Tuesday, April 29 for a garden information series put on by the Town of Claresholm.
She opened by explaining the watershed council is a forum for all voices, with 19 board members bringing perspectives from many sectors, such as the First Nations; industry; irrigation and agriculture; wildlife and habitat conservation; towns and cities; environmental non-profit groups; and the federal and provincial government.
The Oldman watershed covers 23,000 square kilometres in Southwestern Alberta, and 2,100 kilometres in Montana. It extends eastward from the Rocky Mountains, through rangelands in the foothills, dryland and irrigated agriculture, to the prairie grasslands.
Still then discussed bees and shared some fun bee facts.
There are more than 380 native bee species in Alberta, and they have adapted and evolved to Alberta’s climate and native plant species.
All honey bees are native to Europe; most native bees are solitary with no queen or hive; bees are generally not aggressive and reluctant to sting; and they come in a variety of colours and sizes.
What makes a bee a bee is its head; antennae; fore leg; fore wing; mid leg; hind wing; hind leg; abdomen; and thorax.
Still also discussed the difference between pollen and nectar.
Pollen is fine sticky residue found on anthers, that is the male part of flowers, and contains male reproductive cells. It fertilizes pistils, the female parts of flowers, enabling fruit and seed production. Pollen is also rich in protein and other nutrients which feed larvae.
The life cycle of a solitary bee starts with a female bee laying an egg on a pollen and nectar ball. Larva feeds on the pollen and nectar ball. The larva develops into a pupa. The pupa then emerges as an adult bee the next season.
Still turned her attention to pollinators and the role of people.
There are several types of bumble bee including the gypsy cuckoo; yellow banded; western; and suckley’s cuckoo.
Still stressed people should care about bees, because they are a keystone species.
This is a species that has a disproportionately large impact on its ecosystem relative to its abundance, playing a crucial role in maintaining the structure and function of the ecosystem. If a keystone species is removed, the entire ecosystem can be drastically altered or even collapse.
The species is declining because of the use of pesticides and herbicides, and the decrease in habitat.
Currently 47 per cent of dry mixed grassland remains; 29 per cent of mixed grassland; 30 per cent of foothills fescue; and 37 per cent of northern fescue.
Claresholm has been deemed critical habitat for bees.
Consequently, on June 6, two gardens will be created at the Bark Park and Frog Creek Wetlands.
The intention is to enhance habitat for endangered native bees by installing native and drought resistant plants.
They are looking for volunteers to assist.
Anyone interested can visit the volunteer link at oldmanwatershed.ca.