L to R: Mayor John Evans; Eagle Scout candidate Kobe Clothier; and Chinden Gardeners Club Officers: President Claudia Hambacker; Treasurer Judy Snow; Secretary Nancy Bolen, VP Lynnda Gilbert (Lynnda made the flower and bees cake!); and City Councilman Jeff Souza. Council members not shown in photo: Pam Beaumont, Elfreda Higgins & William Mitchell.
“Garden City’s City Council recently passed a unanimous vote to make the city a ‘Bee City USA’ — the first in Idaho. Bee City USA is a national nonprofit that advocates for city leaders to raise awareness of bees and other pollinators and adopt practices to support healthy pollinator communities. The Chinden Gardeners Club led the charge to get the certification.
Judy Snow, a spokeswoman for the Gardeners Club, said a number of local organizations took part in the Bee City discussions, including the North End Organic Nursery, The Vineyard Church and the Boys & Girls Club of Garden City. The club will plant a public pollinator habitat behind City Hall in Garden City. This habitat will include a native bee observation booth, butterfly houses, bat houses and more. The garden will act as an outdoor classroom. Being designated as a Bee City also means that Garden City will take on the responsibility of hosting public awareness activities and an annual celebration.
Note, Garden City residents are welcome to join the pro-pollinator efforts. The Bee City USA committee meets the third Tuesday of each month at 11 a.m. in the Garden City Library. For more information about the Garden City Bee City USA program, contact Judy Snow at 208-371-4140 or judysbaskets@gmail.com.”
