An initiative by local Rotarians helped seed interest at elementary schools in growing bee-friendly gardens. 
Last year, Rotary International issued a challenge to its clubs to address climate change. 
The three local clubs, Shuswap, Salmon Arm and Salmon Arm-Daybreak were drawn to the health of bee populations and the importance of pollinator plants.
含羞草研究社淭he bees are in decline because there are no pollinator plants, we含羞草研究社檙e cutting them all down, dandelions and all kinds of things,含羞草研究社� commented Doug Leatherdale of the Shuswap Rotary Club, which he said took the lead on efforts shared by the clubs to help make a difference.
Part of those efforts, explained Leatherdale, involved creating and distributing a brochure of choice pollinator plants and shrubs suitable to the local growing zone. Assembled by Rotarian Maarten Albricht, the colourful, informative brochure was shared with local nurseries where they are made available to help customers decide what to plant. 
含羞草研究社淭hey were very happy to have them; the put them on their counters next to their tills,含羞草研究社� said Leatherdale.
The clubs also wanted a pollinator activity with a focus on flowers. Leatherdale explained how through ASA (Abundant Specialty Advertising) in Salmon Arm, the club was able to access a program where a 4x5-inch paper blotter card is implanted with seeds of highly attractive flowers for pollination. By planting and watering the cards, explained Leatherdale, 含羞草研究社測ou have done your small part in addressing the pollinator plant to sustain our bee populations.含羞草研究社� 
含羞草研究社淭here含羞草研究社檚 a thing called eco-anxiety 含羞草研究社� kids are really upset with what含羞草研究社檚 happening in the world, they don含羞草研究社檛 know what to do,含羞草研究社� noted Leatherdale. 含羞草研究社淚f you give them anything to do where they feel they含羞草研究社檙e contributing positively, they含羞草研究社檙e all over it and they find the kids who are able to do something feel much more positive含羞草研究社� and this is a program that has had an effect.含羞草研究社�
With the support of School District 83 director of instruction Jennifer Findlay, the Rotary clubs were able to distribute 1,200 seed cards to 13 elementary schools and 42 classes. 
含羞草研究社淲e estimate that over 1,000 families are just a little more aware of the pollinator issues facing us today and how to be a part of a solution helping the bee population,含羞草研究社� said Leatherdale. 
Grade 2 and 3 classes at Ranchero Elementary School were among the recipients. Black-eyed Susans are now budding from some of the cards in an outdoor planter.
含羞草研究社淭hey come every day because this is where we line up, and they get so excited because they keep watching the babies grow,含羞草研究社� said teacher Jennifer Leach of her Grade 2 students who have taken to calling the sprouting plants their 含羞草研究社渂abies.含羞草研究社� 含羞草研究社淭hey含羞草研究社檙e like, 含羞草研究社楥ome on guys, you can do it!含羞草研究社� It含羞草研究社檚 so cute. They含羞草研究社檝e really taken an ownership to it and they get to compare and see, and they love it. And every day there含羞草研究社檚 some new babies popping up.含羞草研究社�
Inspired by the uptake and popularity of the initiative, Leatherdale said the clubs are looking at getting another 2,000 cards made up next year and maybe get more schools involved. 
Included in the Rotary Clubs含羞草研究社� list of preferred pollinator plants are: lavender, borage or star flower, zinnia, calendula, bee balm/bergamot, dahlia, black-eyed Susan, sunflowers and wild columbine.