In this engaging and informative webinar, native bee expert Bonnie Zand shares practical guidance on how Salt Spring gardeners—and anyone interested in supporting biodiversity—can welcome and protect native pollinators. As climate change and habitat loss threaten insect populations, Bonnie offers a hopeful perspective grounded in community action and simple gardening practices.
This session was part of a Salt Spring Foundation Neighbourhood Small Grant project initiated by a group of neighbours on Roland Road, where residents with backgrounds in forestry, geology, gardening, and entomology came together to make their street more pollinator-friendly.
Presenter: Bonnie Zand
Host: Anne Gunn
Duration: 1 hour 5 minutes
Watch the Webinar
What You’ll Learn
- Why native bees are essential for pollination and ecosystem health
- How native bees differ from honey bees—and why that matters
- Practical, science-backed ways to create pollinator habitats at home
- How to choose pollinator-friendly plants and reduce harm from pesticides
- The importance of soil, structure, and seasonal variation in supporting pollinators
- How gardeners can contribute to biodiversity and climate resilience
Presenter
- Bonnie Zand – Native bee expert, pollinator conservationist, and BC instructor for the Master Melittologist Program through the Native Bee Society of BC.
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