​BRAMPTON, ON (June 16, 2021) – Bee City Canada has officially recognized Brampton as its newest Bee City!

The City of Brampton is committed to supporting and protecting pollinators, including bees and butterflies as a designated Bee City. This includes creating and maintaining current pollinator habitats, educating residents about the importance of pollinators, and celebrating pollinators during International Pollinator Week (June 21-27).

The Bee City designation is an opportunity for the City of Brampton to promote and strengthen its leading efforts to protect and enhance the City’s natural heritage system. The City of Brampton joins over 50 municipalities across Canada who have achieved this designation.

Brampton’s Bee City designation is supported by the Brampton Grow Green Environmental Master Plan, Parks and Recreation Master Plan, Natural Heritage and Environmental Management Strategy (NHEMS) and the Brampton Eco Park Strategy.

By the numbers
• The City currently maintains 17 dedicated pollinator beds and 706 perennial beds that support pollinators.
• Since 2002, the Brampton Valley and Parks Naturalization Program has naturalized over 220 hectares of land and uses native seed mixes, shrubs and trees that provide food and habitat for pollinators.
• Since 2018, the Don’t Mow, Let it Grow Program has converted approximately 21 hectares of turf grass into meadows and pollinator gardens.

International Pollinator Week (June 21-27)
June 21-27 is Pollinator Week! Join us for virtual activities including a pollinator-themed treasure hunt with prizes, downloadable colouring pages, resources and facts to explore, and more. Visit www.brampton.ca/pollinators for details.

About Bee City Canada
Founded in 2016, Bee City Canada is a federally recognized charitable organization with the goal to educate Canadians about the importance of pollinators and to inspire action to ensure pollinator habitat protection. The organization supports collaborative efforts of communities and organizations committed to helping pollinators by offering four designations. These designations are: Bee Cities, Bee Partners, Bee Schools and Bee Campuses.

Quotes
“We are proud to be a Bee City! Brampton is one of more than 50 municipalities across Canada to achieve the Bee City designation, and we are dedicated to supporting and protecting pollinators and in turn maintaining healthy, diverse ecosystems in our beautiful city.”
- Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton

“The City of Brampton recognizes the importance of protecting pollinators in our community. We have a number of programs and initiatives in place to support pollinators, including enhancing natural areas, and building and maintaining pollinator beds and those that support pollinators. We thank Bee City Canada for the recognition, and will build on our initiatives through this commitment!”
- Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor Wards 1 & 5; Chair, Community Services, City of Brampton

“Everyone plays a part in supporting Brampton’s Bee City designation. Pollinators are crucial to food production and maintaining healthy habitats and natural systems. I encourage residents to plant native trees and flowers, support local farmers, and learn more about our initiatives at www.brampton.ca/pollinators.”  
- Doug Whillans, City Councillor Wards 2 & 6; Member, Environment Advisory Committee; Member, CEERP Community Task Force, City of Brampton

“City staff are dedicated to enhancing our programs and initiatives to support Brampton’s Bee City designation. I look forward to working with our collaborators and partners to support and protect pollinators such as bees and butterflies in our community.”
- David Barrick, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Brampton
​