Douglas College wants to share the buzz about the benefit of insects in urban gardens.
Community members are invited to attend a free forum at Douglas College on agricultural biodiversity, the ecology of urban food gardens and the beneficial insects that eat pests and pollinate food crops. The fourth annual UNIBUG – User Network for Insect Biology in the Urban Garden – forum takes place on Saturday, April 11 and includes presentations and an educational scavenger hunt.
"Beneficial insects provide a critical ecosystem service by feeding on insect pests and pollinating our food crops," said Rob McGregor, executive director of the Douglas College Institute of Urban Ecology. "Our UNIBUG volunteers are actively promoting the activities of these insects by enhancing their habitat in home and community gardens. This work reduces the need for pesticide applications and increases pollination of crops, both of which increase the sustainability of food production in urban gardens."
With the help of community volunteers, the UNIBUG research project has been looking into how flowering plants can attract the predatory and parasitic insects that feed on and control garden pests, reducing the need for chemical pesticides. Its latest research, including the results from the monitoring of garden pollinators that started last year, will be revealed during the forum.
Sean Smukler, assistant professor in the facility of land and food systems at the University of B.C., is the keynote speaker. He'll explore how agrobiodiversity has diminished and what strategies are being adopted to reverse this trend.
The free forum takes place on Saturday, April 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in room 2201 at Douglas College, 700 Royal Ave.
Sex-ed heritage style
The New Westminster Historical Society is taking on sex ed and other topics at its next meeting.
The April 15 evening will look at how political cartoons can be used as historical resources. The meeting is being held on Wednesday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the New Westminster Public Library's auditorium.
"Educational issues have inspired Canadian political cartoonists from the late 1800s to the present. Topics covered range from class size, discipline, dress codes and evaluation to salaries, job action, sex education and technology," said a press release about the event. "Award-winning retired teacher and researcher Charles Houwill bring an array of examples selected from one of his favourite topics, political cartoons and the cartoonists. Charles is a great speaker with wonderful information."
The program is free and everyone is welcome. The public library is at 716 Sixth Ave. in uptown New Westminster.
UGM gets arty
The Union Gospel Mission is serving up more than food at its Carnarvon Street locale.
The UGM New Westminster resource centre has been offering art classes for people who use its services in New Westminster.
While the introduction to textile art classes have wrapped up, upcoming courses will provide an introduction to printmaking and photography.
Located at 658 Carnavron St., the Union Gospel Mission provides meals, education and job preparation, outreach and other programs to help those in need.
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