Rotary Club nurturing nature through community projects

The Maitland Woods.

The Rotary Club of Goderich has been planting and maintaining six gardens throughout Goderich for many years.

We have focused on creating natural and native plant habitats. Why are they important? The relationship between plants and animals becomes even more complex when you consider birds and insects.

Ponder the monarch butterfly. It has several stages of development: eggs, caterpillar, pupa, and adult. Each stage has specific requirements. For example, the egg must be laid on a milkweed plant because this is the only type of leaves the caterpillar stage eats.

Other plants supply nectar for nourishment for the adult monarch. These plants must be in flower when the adult requires the nectar. The flower must be in the correct shape so the butterfly can access the nectar. These relationships are exact and different for every insect species.

So, why should you care about insects? They pollinate flowers that turn into food for other animals and humans. Insects are the building blocks of the food chain.

If you need more convincing that it’s important to match native plants with our native insects in Southwestern Ontario, please read one of the books or watch a video by Douglas W. Tallamy. He is a professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware. For practical ideas closer to home, read Lorraine Johnson, author of 100 Easy to Grow Native Canadian Plants.

How is the Rotary Club of Goderich working to increase the biodiversity of native plants, shrubs, and trees in our area? Here are the six projects.

Make sure to visit them and enjoy them as much as our native wildlife does.

1. Maitland Woods (Town of Goderich property)

In October 2023, the Rotary Club of Goderich began a project to control invasive buckthorn shrub regrowth and fill in areas where ash trees have died due to the Emerald Ash Borer.

One hundred native shrubs, such as dogwood and viburnum, have been planted and maintained by Rotary members. The next plant material, consisting of 30 trees, 60 shrubs, and 168 native plants, will be delivered on Monday, May 26, 2025.

Some preparation work, including wooden stake cutting and wire basket protection construction for the shrubs and trees, needs to be done before this date.

Planting needs to be completed as soon as possible after delivery. This initiative is funded 50 per cent by a Huron Clean Water Program grant and 50 per cent by Rotary Club of Goderich donations and fundraising efforts.

The investment to date is $3,000 and 100 volunteer hours. Volunteers are needed to help plant from May 27 to June 5, 2025.

2. Forget-me-not Garden (overlooking North Harbour Road, Town of Goderich property)

The Rotary Club of Goderich has been tending this oval-shaped garden for more than ten years. Currently, perennial plants like echinacea, forget-me-not, and oat grass occupy the center portion.

The Town of Goderich provides plants and waters them with their water truck. In the spring of 2025, the outer ring will transition from annual flowers to native perennial plants.

New native plants will arrive on May 26, 2025. Rotary members will volunteer to plant these, though town staff may handle the planting if volunteers are unavailable.

The Town of Goderich covers the cost of soil, gravel path, water, and plant material. The project has received 50 Rotary volunteer hours per year. Volunteers are needed from May 27 to June 5, 2025.

3. Jasper Memorial Garden (near the Rotary Cove Goderich Waterfront, Town of Goderich property)

Established in October 2021, this formal garden surrounds the Jasper memorial metal gazebo. It features a Korean lilac standard, globe blue spruce, and pinky winky hydrangea, with tulips and daffodils starting the growing season each year.

Plants, soil amendments, and mulch were donated by the Rotary Club, along with plants from friends' gardens. The Rotary Club volunteers maintain this garden, and town staff supplement watering when required.

The cost was $1,700, with 50 volunteer hours to establish and 50 volunteer hours per year for maintenance. A volunteer spring cleanup is needed in late April or early May, depending on the weather.

4. Wheelhouse Concession Garden (in Rotary Cove, Town of Goderich property)

In August 2022, all native plants were purchased and installed by Rotary members, along with a native Red Oak tree at the Cove.

The project cost $1,000, partially funded by a Rotary District Grant and the rest by the Goderich Club. Establishing the garden required 30 volunteer hours, with 30 volunteer hours per year for maintenance, including watering by Rotary members when needed.

5. G2G Rail Trail (at River Ridge Crescent, ACW municipality, property leased to G2G Corp. from the Province of Ontario)

Native plants and shrubs were established by the Goderich Rotary Club as an Earth Day project in the spring of 2021 during COVID.

The project was funded through in-kind donations from Rotary members, including wood stakes, straw mulch, and plant material, with an additional $855 from the Rotary Club.

The Maitland Trail Association partnered with Rotary to expand native plant material in this area. The first two years required 100 volunteer hours each, with 25 hours per year thereafter.

6. Rotary Skate Park (at Bannister Park, Town of Goderich property)

In October 2019, 15 large-caliper trees, some native and some cultivars, were placed around the Rotary Skate Park.

These were purchased from and planted by Huron Landscaping Limited at a cost of $11,130, partially funded by a Rotary District grant.

This year, the trees need maintenance to prevent damage from weed whips and riding lawnmowers, which can harm the bark and allow infection to enter the tree. Edging and mulch around the tree trunk are necessary for protection.

Through these dedicated efforts, the Rotary Club of Goderich continues to foster biodiversity and protect the natural environment in our community.

By creating and maintaining these native plant gardens, we not only support local wildlife but also enhance the beauty of our town for residents and visitors alike.

We welcome volunteers and supporters to join us in these ongoing projects. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the environment and future generations.

If you're interested in volunteering or learning more about our initiatives, please reach out to the Rotary Club of Goderich.