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Greenwich Celebrated Earth Day by Becoming Pollinator Friendly Community

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The Greenwich Sentinel news department was not involved in the creation of this content.

RESOLUTION DESIGNATING GREENWICH “A POLLINATOR FRIENDLY COMMUNITY”

WHEREAS, the Greenwich Board of Selectmen recognizes that bees and other pollinators are integral to a healthy and resilient ecosystem and a wide diversity of essential foods for human and wildlife consumption; and

WHEREAS, pollinator populations are in decline due to habitat loss, land development, land maintenance practices, pesticide use, pathogens and parasites; and

WHEREAS, alternative land management practices to mowed lawn are available that dramatically increase pollinator forage; and

WHEREAS, native plantings that provide high-quality forage for pollinators also provide benefits related to water quality treatment, stormwater management, carbon sequestration, noise and pollution reduction, erosion prevention and soil enhancement; and

WHEREAS, application of certain pesticides such as neonicotinoids and systemic herbicides that have unintended consequences against beneficial insects such as bees and other pollinators; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Selectman finds it is in the public interest and consistent with adopted Town policy for the Town to demonstrate its commitment to a safe and healthy community environment for people and pollinators.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Greenwich Board of Selectmen, that the Town of Greenwich is hereby declared a Pollinator-Friendly Community. As a Pollinator-Friendly Community, the Town will:

  • promote healthy environments for pollinators including quality sources of nectar and pollen, clean water and habitat through existing programs and new opportunities; and
  • pursue planting more pollinator forage in areas of town parks that currently exist as mowed turfgrass; and
  • consider adding natural areas with beneficial pollinator-friendly plants when designing new and renovated facilities; and
  • minimize the use of systemic pesticides, with emphasis on avoiding the use of pesticides from the neonicotinoid family, on Town property to the extent practicable; and
  • undertake best efforts to purchase plants that have not been pre-treated with pesticides; and
  • undertake best efforts to utilize pollinator plantings as educational spaces; and
  • communicate to Town residents, partner organizations, and businesses the importance of creating and maintaining a pollinator-friendly habitat; and
  • maintain a list of native and naturalized pollinator-friendly plants for reference by the community and encourage private developers and landowners to incorporate pollinator-friendly plantings into required landscaping; and
  • annually provide the Conservation Commission with an update on steps taken to create a more Pollinator-Friendly Greenwich.

THIS RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED BY THE GREENWICH BOARD OF SELECTMEN ON April 22, 2021.

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