Green Wave Campaign

This year, AWA was fortunate to be part of International Biodiversity Day (IBD) planning through the Canadian Environment Network. On May 22nd, 2010, we are grateful to more than 150 people from all over Alberta who took part in a Green Wave from Alberta to the World.

The theme for 2010 IBD is sustainable development. For Alberta’s Green Wave we encouraged you to plant something, preferably native, but not necessarily, to join in the growing movement that understands the importance of sustainable development to protect our natural biodiversity for a healthy world.

We recommended three plants: Saskatoon (Amelanchier anlnifolia), Shrubby cinquefoil (Potentilla fruiticosa) or Wild blue flax (Linum lewisii).

	Saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia) This native shrub is a bonus for both the human and the wildlife occupants of any garden. The attractive white flowers are an important nectar supply for butterflies and moths. Berries are an excellent food source for birds (or people) from late spring to fall. Will grow in dry or in moist conditions in any of Alberta’s natural regions.
	Shrubby cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa) A medium-sized shrub, which will become covered with beautiful five-petalled yellow flowers. Flowers are a nectar source for bees, moths and butterflies such as purple fritillary. The plant is also a food source for larvae of the white admiral butterfly. Grows well in most regions of Alberta, including the Chinook zone.
	Wild blue flax (Linum lewisii) A medium height flower, with delicate blue-green leaves, and a cloud of pale blue flowers which bob and dance in the breeze. Though each flower last only one day, they are replaced continually, so that flowers are present throughout the summer. Flax is an excellent plant to grow in a ‘naturalized’ lawn, adding structure and colour to a boring green carpet. It also copes very well in dry soils. It grows readily from seed, and established plants re-grow from the base each year.

Plant Photo Credits:  http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/

As of May 22, we received 151 responses from dedicated people in 23 towns and communities around the province and across the country who planted something in recognition of this day. You can see the green wave spreading across Alberta on the map below. Thank You to all who participated!

                       ALBERTA'S GREEN WAVE

In the coming years, we hope to continue this campaign and make Alberta bloom ever greener and brighter. The International Biodiversity Day Green Wave website is  http://greenwave.cbd.int/en/action

We know that our well-being is dependent on the health of our natural environment, our biodiversity and our protected areas.  Will you help defend our natural world?

Partners

We are pleased to announce partnerships with Bedrock Seed Bank, Sangudo, AB.