An initiative by local Rotarians helped seed interest at elementary schools in growing bee-friendly gardens. 
Last year, Rotary International issued a challenge to its clubs to address climate change. 
The three local clubs, Shuswap, Salmon Arm and Salmon Arm-Daybreak were drawn to the health of bee populations and the importance of pollinator plants.
鈥淭he bees are in decline because there are no pollinator plants, we鈥檙e cutting them all down, dandelions and all kinds of things,鈥� commented Doug Leatherdale of the Shuswap Rotary Club, which he said took the lead on efforts shared by the clubs to help make a difference.
Part of those efforts, explained Leatherdale, involved creating and distributing a brochure of choice pollinator plants and shrubs suitable to the local growing zone. Assembled by Rotarian Maarten Albricht, the colourful, informative brochure was shared with local nurseries where they are made available to help customers decide what to plant. 
鈥淭hey were very happy to have them; the put them on their counters next to their tills,鈥� said Leatherdale.
The clubs also wanted a pollinator activity with a focus on flowers. Leatherdale explained how through ASA (Abundant Specialty Advertising) in Salmon Arm, the club was able to access a program where a 4x5-inch paper blotter card is implanted with seeds of highly attractive flowers for pollination. By planting and watering the cards, explained Leatherdale, 鈥測ou have done your small part in addressing the pollinator plant to sustain our bee populations.鈥� 
鈥淭here鈥檚 a thing called eco-anxiety 鈥� kids are really upset with what鈥檚 happening in the world, they don鈥檛 know what to do,鈥� noted Leatherdale. 鈥淚f you give them anything to do where they feel they鈥檙e contributing positively, they鈥檙e all over it and they find the kids who are able to do something feel much more positive鈥� and this is a program that has had an effect.鈥�
With the support of School District 83 director of instruction Jennifer Findlay, the Rotary clubs were able to distribute 1,200 seed cards to 13 elementary schools and 42 classes. 
鈥淲e estimate that over 1,000 families are just a little more aware of the pollinator issues facing us today and how to be a part of a solution helping the bee population,鈥� said Leatherdale. 
Grade 2 and 3 classes at Ranchero Elementary School were among the recipients. Black-eyed Susans are now budding from some of the cards in an outdoor planter.
鈥淭hey come every day because this is where we line up, and they get so excited because they keep watching the babies grow,鈥� said teacher Jennifer Leach of her Grade 2 students who have taken to calling the sprouting plants their 鈥渂abies.鈥� 鈥淭hey鈥檙e like, 鈥楥ome on guys, you can do it!鈥� It鈥檚 so cute. They鈥檝e really taken an ownership to it and they get to compare and see, and they love it. And every day there鈥檚 some new babies popping up.鈥�
Inspired by the uptake and popularity of the initiative, Leatherdale said the clubs are looking at getting another 2,000 cards made up next year and maybe get more schools involved. 
Included in the Rotary Clubs鈥� list of preferred pollinator plants are: lavender, borage or star flower, zinnia, calendula, bee balm/bergamot, dahlia, black-eyed Susan, sunflowers and wild columbine.