MOOSE JAW — Residents learned how to transform their yards into pollinator-friendly spaces during a special event put on by Wild About Moose Jaw at the Moose Jaw Public Library recently.
The pollinator garden workshop and seed exchange, timed to celebrate Earth Day that occurred just a few days earlier, focused on the critical role pollinators like bees, moths, and birds play in maintaining healthy ecosystems.
Although sustainable gardening advocate Naomi Hunter was originally slated to lead the presentation, a last-minute emergency led to guest presenter Rich Pickering, president of Nature Moose Jaw, stepping in to cover a talk on the benefits of native plant species.
“Pollinators are essential,” Pickering said. “A lot of plants can’t reproduce without having pollinators transfer pollen from one plant to another.”
Pickering explained that native plants require less maintenance once established, conserving water and reducing the need for mowing.
“It’s actually less work to have a garden once it’s established, as opposed to just straight grass,” he said. He encouraged residents to start small — even with just a few pots — and build up their gardens year by year.
Workshop organizer and Wild About Moose Jaw founder Kimberly Epp further emphasized the environmental downsides of conventional lawns after the event.
“There’s nothing to a lawn; there is no biodiversity in it,” Epp said. “You water it, you mow it, and you spray chemicals on it — and what does it prove?”
Epp said that even converting a small patch of grass to native flowers can make a big difference for beneficial insects, allowing them to fly from one patch to another across the city.
The event also included an onsite seed exchange, with residents invited to take home or share seeds, particularly those from local or native species. Most of the seeds offered were gathered from Epp’s own garden, with thanks to Keon Garden Centre for some additional seed donations.
Epp stressed the importance of planting native species, noting that “Bees that are native have evolved with native flowers.” She suggested that local gardens should contain at least 60 to 70 per cent native plant species.
The workshop also marked the ongoing development of a pollinator garden certification program by Wild About Moose Jaw, featuring custom yard signs designed by local artist Vadym Vatskov. Epp said the initiative will help raise awareness and shift perceptions about naturalized yards.
The event was made possible thanks to the Moose Jaw Public Library lending the use of its theatre. James Miller, speaking on behalf of the library, said events like this help fulfill the public library’s broader mission.
“We want to increase literacy in general, including environmental literacy,” Miller said. “Pollinator gardens and natural plants are part of that, and we’re grateful to be able to host these workshops.”
The event marked the second year Wild About Moose Jaw has partnered with the library for its Earth Day celebrations, and Epp hinted at even bigger plans for next year’s event — including an expanded seed swap and a possible garden tour to showcase local pollinator-friendly yards.
Gardeners interested in learning more can visit “Wild About Moose Jaw” on Facebook or email [email protected].
