Volunteers have created a Pollinator Pathway by planting native flowering plants, seeds and shrubs along Hoylake Road in Qualicum Beach.
The project was built in celebration of Earth Day and is geared towards providing nutrition and habitat for pollinating insects and birds.
The Parksville-Qualicum Foundation provided funding for the initiative through the Small Neighbourhood Grant program. Plants were provided by the Streamside Native Plant Nursery with seeds donated by West Coast Seeds.
The project was organized by Tom Whitfield with volunteers from various local conservation groups including the Brown Property Preservation Society, Streamkeepers and Arrowsmith Naturalists.
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Kindergarten students from Qualicum Beach Elementary School also took part in the project, dispersing flower seeds in the area. The natural wildflower meadow will flower in stages throughout spring and summer and provide an appealing natural habitat for pollinating bees, insects and songbirds along a highly used walking path.
Whitfield said the Pollinator Pathway will promote community awareness about biodiversity and ecosystem health, stimulate conversation and a sense of well-being among neighbours to further a culture of conservation.
The adjacent walking path enjoys high daily use and connects nearby neighborhoods to downtown and the Grandon Creek trail. An interpretive sign will later be installed to further the educational aspects and promote growing native pollinating plants in your community.
Whitfield said they hope this project may be the initial catalyst for other such pollinator projects in Oceanside.