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11 | Friday July 21, 2017 | OAKVILLE BEAVER |www.insidehalton.com H alton becom es bee-friendly by Melanie Hennessey Metroland West Media V2/ access abilities I I Your ability store.Our passion. We can help you with your home healthcare needs and we'll do it with a smile Halton Region is bee-ing proactive when it comes to making Halton pollinator-friendly. During its recent meeting, regional council passed a motion from Milton Councillor Colin Best for Halton to support healthy environments -- including food sources, clean water and shelter -- for bees and other pollinators. The resolution says the Region will use beefriendly planting on its properties, urge private landowners to do the same and encourage public education regarding bees. Bests motion stemmed from Milton teen Jennifer Jachtorowicz approaching him a few months ago regarding a `Save Our Pollinators' campaign she' s involved with through the Ontario Nature Youth Council. The Bishop Reding graduate presented to regional council, telling local politicians issues such as habitat loss, disease, pesticide exposure and climate change are contributing to the decline in pollinators' health. "When meadows become housing developments, pollinators often lose their homes," she said. Bees are suffering from colony collapse disorder all over North America, and scientists have linked it to the use of neonicotinoids, said Jachtorowicz. With pollinators responsible for one-third of all food, she said the Ontario Nature Youth Council is trying to lobby governments to protect bees. It has been working with Bee City Canada, urging municipalities to declare themselves bee cities, and protect pollinators and their habitat through action and education. So far, Toronto and Stratford have the designation. "We certainly have a huge problem in terms of beehive loss in the area," said Best. Oakville Councillor Allan Elgar, who seconded the motion, said, "I don' t think people are aware of just how important the pollinators are." Halton Hills Councillor Clark Somerville asked staff to find out costs and suggested Halton' s municipalities and conservation authority should become bee-friendly, too. Oakville Mayor Rob Burton heard the Region isn' t considering a ban on neonicotinoids, as jurisdiction for lies at the provincial or federal level. IN J I I T G ettin g o u t & a b o u t w ith a SCOOTER · Easy to purchase, drive and maintain · Suitable for air and cruise ship travel · A great way to get around and enjoy life! Lots going on in Towne Square this weekend It' s summertime and there' s lots to do in downtown Oakville' s Towne Square. On Friday,July 21 - the OakvilleJazz Ensemble plays 7-9 p.m. in Towne Square. On Saturday, July 22 - visit the farmers market 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. and take part in yoga. On Sunday, July 23 - take part in giant games in Towne Square from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., and Latin and ballroom dance lessons 11 a.m.-1 p.m. For information, visit oakvilledowntown.com. Visit our well stocked retail outlets for a free demo & meet our friendly staff! 549 Bronte Rd, Oakville 154 Norseman St, Etobicoke 905-825-5335 416-237-9554 info@ accessabilities.ca w w w.accessabihties.ca Sum m J -----1 floor made J u l y 4th - J u l y 31st up to 50% off select floor stock pEN W O O jJ ^CRAFTED FUHJvi A n c a s te r S to re 1242 Garner Road W., Ancaster (905) 648-6888 M o rris to n S to re 34 Queen Street, Morriston (519) 837-3555