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New Butterfly & Bee Garden created in Alliston, created by local Scout Group

June 16, 2022   ·   0 Comments

Last week, the 1st Alliston Beaver Scouts put finishing touches to its new Bee & Butterfly Garden, located near the Boyne River off King Street in Alliston.

The garden contains milkweed, sunflowers, cone flowers, Dahilas, Heliopsis, Lady’s Mantle, and various other bee- and butterfly-attracting flowering plants.

“The 1st Alliston Beaver Colony White Tails have created this garden for their North Star Award ­– the highest award for a Beaver,” said Susan Anderson, Group Treasurer/Administrator for the 1st Alliston Scout Group. “To achieve the award, Beavers, in their final year and moving into Cubs, need to obtain five volunteer hours with Scouting or at home plus five Outdoor Adventure Skills.”

Anderson explained the Outdoor Adventure Skills program is an invitation for Scouts to try something new—to be outside more, testing themselves with progressive challenges while always staying within their capabilities to stay safe.

“In short, it’s about having life-changing experiences,” said Anderson. “Each Outdoor Adventure Skills pathway is divided into nine stages with a badge awarded for each stage. However, the purpose of the OAS program is not the badge; rather, the Outdoor Adventure Skills should be seen as tools to support the Plan-Do-Review process and complete a project that matters to the youth and the community.”

In the past the 1st Alliston Beaver Scouts have also completed park cleanups, and even partnered with Alliston Home Hardware to make “Insect Hotels” to achieve the North Star Award.

With the Garden now in place, kids will be encouraged by leaders to, “keep an eye on the garden and to weed it with the help of their parents, but any member of the community can also do the same.”

As Scouts Canada’s mission is to develop well-rounded youth, who are better prepared for success in the world, local Scouts are stimulated through teamwork, personal challenges and exploration.

“Through this, youth develop the self-confidence, values and problem-solving skills that will guide them through every future adventure, at every stage of life,” said Anderson.

Sponsors for the completed garden were: Mark McCague, Supervisor, Parks and Open Spaces for the Town of New Tecumseth – who met with Anderson to arrange the plot and to have the area tilled and materials made available. Plant donations were provided by the Beeton Agricultural Society, Alliston Garden Club, Stems Flower Farm – Alliston, and Perennials on the Hill – Tottenham.

“We also had Milkweed seeds that we obtained from a local Windsor and Essex County group who collects Milkweed seeds in the fall and preserves them to send to interested butterfly enthusiasts,” said Anderson, adding, “Cub Scout mom Amanda Forbes also helped by starting our plants and collecting and caring for plants until we are ready to create the garden. The kids also did some starter plants to be used.”

1st Alliston Scouts are looking for new members to ensure more projects, such as the Butterfly & Bee Garden, can be completed in the future.

“During the COVID–19 pandemic, we lost a lot of interest in the program and were only able to run virtually,” said Anderson. “In Colony, we maintained six youth virtually and now they are ready to do their swim up to Cubs in a few weeks.”

Current group enrolment is open to: Colony – youths up to age 16, Pack – youths up to age 11, and Troop – youths up to age 8.

Colony program runs Tuesday nights from 6:30–7:30 p.m.; Pack Thursday 6:30–8 p.m. and Troop Thursday 6:30–8 p.m.

“Meeting locations are at the Alliston Memorial Arena currently and various parks [and] conservation areas around town,” said Anderson. “And our 1st Alliston Group Committee meets once a month to discuss programming, planning and fundraising.”

The 1st Alliston Scout Group is led by Gerald Francis, Susan Anderson, Brian Whittaker, Sherry Anderson, Shaun Haffenbrack, Pierre-Alexandre Girouard, Josee Francis, Gerald Francis, Ray Hartery, and Kent Anderson, and sponsored by the Alliston Lions Club. They are currently looking for more adult volunteers to join the team.

For more information about 1st Alliston Scout Group visit www.allistonscouts.ca or email allistonscoutgroup@gmail.com.

By Wendy Gabrek

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