Good to Know

  A Barrie Sanctuary Here in Barrie we are unfortunate enough to be able to enjoy a peaceful sanctuary that offers anyone who enters, gifts of tranquility, relaxation, and rejuvenation. If you venture into this peaceful haven in May after a long snow-filled and bitterly cold winter you can hike, bike, power walk, saunter along a myriad of  very wide and well -maintained nature paths meandering through 43 acres of protected woodland. If it happens to be a blistering hot, sunny dayy, you will be protected by the cooling canopy of mighty oaks, towering maples, and lofty birches. When you venture into this magical retreat in May, your eyes will feast upon a forest floor blanketed with a brightly coloured palette of spring  wildflowers like the yellow anemone which is a garden escapee. Our Provincial Floral Emblem since 1937, the elegant and unique flower with three petals, 3 sepals, and 3 leaves is a welcome sight with its delicate white  and red blossoms During the course of the summer, y

  Why We Should Curb Our Use of Bottled Water Globally 154 billion litres of bottled water was consumed in 2004.  This was up 57% from five years earlier.  In 2006, an astounding 30% of people in Ontario who had access to regularly inspected municipal water supply primarily drank bottled water.  Many people believe that bottled water is purer and safer than tap water. Before buying your next bottle of water please consider the following facts: Some bottled water actually comes from municipal water supplies, so you are paying twice for the same water. The City of Toronto inspects its water every four hours. Bottling plants are inspected only once every 3-6 years! Some studies have found concentrations of arsenic and mercury in bottled water. Bacteria in bottled water can multiply very quickly when stored over long periods or exposed to intense heat. Our oil supplies are peaking and gas prices are sky rocketing, making plastic bottles

  SHARING SOLAR PANEL SPACE   When solar panels were installed often turf grass or gravel was placed below and around the panels.  Now more and more owners are beginning to create meadows blanketed with native  and wild flowers.    A study in Minnesota found that planting meadows filled with pollinating plants such as milkweeds, black-eyed Susans,  bee balm, cone flowers, and more attracted many pollinators including Monarch butterflies.  In the UK it was discovered that “solar meadows” boosted the number of bumble bees even in areas close to the panels. Solar panels shaded plants delaying their blossoming time and thus providing nectar throughout the season.  Other advantages of planting meadows rather than using  gravel is the plants sequester carbon, help recharge groundwater, and help reduce erosion.  Studies also showed that an increase in pollinators helped  farmers crop creating an increase of soya beans by 6.3%. A non-profit Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund’s Solar Synergy will p

  DO BEES NEED CONIFEROUS TREES? As well as protecting the food sources of our dwindling pollinators it’s also critical that cities and townships plant as many evergreen trees in groups of 3 or more ( single evergreen trees without shade often dry out and die in sunny winter months) On hot and humid days the worker honeybees will go in search of resin from evergreen trees.                                                                                                                                      The honeybee tears the resins  from trees and brings it back to the hive.      There the resin is mixed with the wax from the beehive.                              This mixture is waterproof and has an antibiotic action.                              The bees use the mixture to seal the hive.                                                        This helps the hive to become airtight, watertight, and protects it from predators.