Cook Road dump:

Pollinator park idea buzzing in Aylmer

Closed years ago, the Cook Road landfill could find a new purpose as a pollinator park. During City Council’s agricultural advisory committee meeting this fall, members discussed a project in Guelph, Ontario, that saw an old landfill transformed into a pollinator park for birds and insects.

“I am attempting to convince the city to re-boot the idea -- first by assessing the pollination plants that exist after years of letting the surface go.

 

“Secondly, portions could be used for pollination and pollinators.

“A large portion of the site does not have buried garbage. It was set aside as buffer,” said Dave Reford, North Aylmer beef farmer and member of agricultural committee.

The project in southern Ontario was spearheaded by Pollination Guelph which groups individuals “dedicated to the conservation and development of pollinator habitat. We promote awareness and understanding of the role of pollinators in achieving local and global environmental sustainability goals and showcase pollinator projects that are a model for citizens and communities.”

After a year’s preparation, the group planted native plants on one hectare of the Guelph landfill in the fall, 2013. The group added a “bee hotel” in June 2014. Contributors planted wildflowers on the 45ha (112 acre) decommissioned Eastview dump, but the flowers have had a hard time taking root.

“We are having trouble with our site,” explained Victoria MacPhail, co-chair of Pollination Guelph. “We’ve planted various species, but have had no germination on the landfill itself.”

MacPhail notes that such restoration projects have worked on other sites; she believes that the culprit in the Eastview Pollinator Park might be fescue grass.

“It’s a non-native species and very competitive. The grass inhibits growth of other plants,” she said. “The landfill operators planted fescue after it was decommissioned to combat erosion; this grass grows quickly and has thick roots. It binds the soil, which tends to be dry.” Therefore, it is important to study what’s already growing on site and then decide which would be the best pollinator plants.

While the Eastview project was unsuccessful, MacPhail believes in the venture and other projects to help pollinators, which are under threat. “One of the better known pollinators is the bumblebee and about a third of their population has declined. Projects that create a habitat for them is a great way to support the ecosystem; pollinators play a determinant role,” added MacPhail. “The project is certainly worth a try.”