Dear editor,
I would like to state my concerns about the Pollinator Garden proposal in Crippen meadow that the Bowen Agricultural Alliance has before Metro Vancouver Parks.
As a professional environmental educator and entomologist, I applaud the initiative of this community organization to promote learning about the pollination services provided by native insects, birds and other wildlife. Without these creatures, natural ecosystems and most agriculture would collapse.
That said, I have many concerns about the proposed garden location in Crippen meadow. I urge BAA and Metro Vancouver Parks to choose another location.
The current meadow habit is ideal for native pollinators and needs no “improvement”. It is a healthy, diverse pollinator habitat. A wide variety of flowering plants provide abundant nectar and pollen throughout the spring summer and fall. The rough ground, exposed soil and woody debris provide needed nesting and overwintering habitat for native leaf-cutter, bumble, blue orchard bees and wooly bear caterpillars snoozing to emerge as adult moths ready to pollinate in spring.
The proposed changes will greatly reduce the size of the remaining meadow which is important feeding habitat for seed and insect eating birds. The proposed site also includes one of the islands few known garter snake hibernating sites. Using the Island’s Trusts’ online MapIT application, I measured the area of the remaining meadow habitat and the proposed garden site (see attached illustration). The proposed garden will remove approximately 2,653 square metres of habitat—that’s the area of about ten tennis courts—close to twenty-five percent of the remaining meadow.
As a gardener, I know that the local deer will be very interested in sampling anything grown in the proposed garden. A high deer fence will be required. Because of the location of the proposed site, this fence and the garden structures will strongly impact the visual experience of walking through the meadows. See the photos depicting the location and height of the fence.
I think there are better locations for a pollinator garden site. For example, I have talked to some members of Bowen Heritage who would entertain working with BAA and Metro Parks to establish interpretation in the Davies Orchard in Snug Cove. This site has higher visitation, better handicapped access and a year-round water supply.
I hope everyone with an interest in the meadow and the bees and other insects that do pollination work there will let Metro Vancouver Parks know your thoughts. For links to Metro Parks’ feedback web page and to a petition opposing the location of a garden in the meadow got to my Crippen Meadow webpage: bowenpollinatoreducation.ca
Will Husby
