2013 – A Discussion with the Hamilton Urban Beekeepers

Posted on September 4, 2013 by urquhartbutterfly

Honey Bee

On Thursday, September 12th, at 6pm, the Urquhart Butterfly Garden will be hold A Discussion with the Hamilton Urban Beekeepers. The guest speaker is Brandi Lee MacDonald, who was recently featured in the Hamilton Spectator.

The first hive started by the Hamilton Urban Beekeepers is on McMaster campus, just downstream of the Butterfly Garden. The Hamilton Urban Beekeepers were founded by OPIRG in response to the Colony Collapse Disorder that is threatening the bee population. The aim of this group is educate on the critical role that honeybees play in the health and biodiversity of local ecological settings and in the security of our food supply.

The discussion will touch on why it’s a good idea to cultivate bees in the city; an introduction to beekeeping and the logistics of establishing a hive; and the current threats to bee health, including the mysterious deaths of local bees this spring, linked to the use of new pesticides. This workshop will demonstrate the ability for grassroots community initiatives to respond effectively to big problems like Colony Collapse Disorder and to build local food security.

Urban beekeeping is a way we can assist in saving these important pollinators. Find out what you can do on September 12th at 6pm. This event will be held inside the Air Force Club, and the bar will be open for those who would like to linger for a drink afterwards.

2013 – History of the Desjardins Area and the Urquhart Butterfly Garden

Posted on August 28, 2013 by urquhartbutterfly

Hummingbird, by Michelle Sharp

On Thursday September 5th at 6 pm, at Urquhart Butterfly Garden, there will be a free workshop at the Garden on the “History of the Desjardins Area and the Urquhart Butterfly Garden“, presented by Stan Nowak of the Dundas Valley Historical Society, and Joanna Chapman coordinator of the Urquhart Butterfly Garden.

Centennial Park sits on the site of the old Port of Dundas, and the Desjardins Canal, was once a busy shipping route and the key to Dundas’ economy. Stories of the area’s industrial past live on in the landscape, and Stan will draw on his vast knowledge of local history to vividly explain the story of the canal.

The history and impetus for the Urquhart Butterfly Garden is one that few people know. Joanna Chapman, has been the coordinator of the project since the beginning, and will reveal the strange story behind the creation the Municipal Butterfly Garden for Dundas, and also why the particular location was selected.

In the event of rain this session will be held inside at the Air Force Club, next to Centennial Park.

The Summer Education Series is funded by the Dougher Fund of the Hamilton Community Foundation.

Spicebush Swallowtail

Posted on August 26, 2013 by urquhartbutterfly

A rare Spicebush Swallowtail was recently found in the garden by Doug Welch, and later sighted and photographed by several others.

2013 – Learning Dragonflies and Damselflies

Posted on August 22, 2013 by urquhartbutterfly

Ruby Meadowhawk Dragonfly, by Ron Rowan

On Sunday, August 25th, at 2pm, we are hosting a free workshop called “Learning Dragonflies and Damselflies”. This event will be presented by Brenda van Ryswyk and is part of the UBG’s Summer Education Series.

Dragonflies and Damselflies, or Odonates, are powerful hunters, performing amazing feats of aerial agility to gobble up scores of smaller insects. Their life cycle is fascinating, beginning underwater before crawling to land, shedding their skins, and taking to the air.

We are fortunate to have an amazing diversity of these creatures in the garden. Brenda van Ryswyk is a Natural Heritage Ecologist with Conservation Halton, and in this session, she will teach participants how to observe and identify Odonates, and help us learn to recognize some of the most common species in our area.

2013 – Working with Nature: An introduction to Chemical-free Gardening

Posted on August 16, 2013 by urquhartbutterfly

Pearl Crescent, by Ron Rowan

On Thursday August 22nd at 6pm, the Urquhart Butterfly Garden is hosting a presentation on how to help our gardens thrive without using chemicals as part of our Summer Education Series

The Urquhart Butterfly Garden is an ideal location for a workshop on organic growing. The garden has been chemical-free for the whole twenty years of its existence, serving as an example of what can be achieved when you garden with nature, not against her. Particularly this year, when we are all witnessing such a dramatic decline in the populations of Monarch Butterflies and Honey Bees, we should all be asking ourselves what we can do to make out gardens inviting for these beneficial insects.

This workshop will be conducted by Sapphire Singh, the chair of the local chapter of the Canadian Organic Growers. In addition to her role with the COG, Sapphire Singh is the Presentation Co-ordinator with the Hamilton Farmers’ Market and a long-time environmental activist. Using the UBG as an example, she will offer the public some simple tricks for building healthy soil, managing weeds, and dealing with pests, all without resorting to chemical fertilizers or pesticides.