Latest news with #KathleenSheppard
CTV News
11-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Lethbridge's mosquito population not ‘too bad' so far this year: city
Though mosquitoes are starting to be seen around Lethbridge, the city's sole mosquito technician says the population isn't 'too bad' so far. Sean Ponech – who spends his spring and summer checking shallow, stagnant water for larvae – says population levels have been medium to low. Aside from the heavy rainfall in June, Ponech says the region has been dry. 'Four days after a rainfall is when you can start to see the larvae of the mosquito,' he said. 'If it does rain, it'll definitely increase the population a bit – but we're hoping to [mitigate that].' The city uses a naturally occurring bacteria to control and prevent the mosquitoes. The larvicide is coated in cornmeal, which Ponech then throws into the areas with known larvae. 'We just toss the product into the water, and then the larvae eat it, and it dies,' he explained. While the city monitors public land, residents are encouraged to do their part to control mosquito population levels by removing stagnant water from their properties. 'If you have a bird bath or a fountain, you want to make sure you're refreshing that water regularly,' said Kathleen Sheppard, executive director of Environment Lethbridge. Before venturing out, Sheppard says be prepared by wearing long sleeves, avoiding peak mosquito times such as dust and dawn and using natural repellents like citronella. 'From a vegetation standpoint, there are plants that you can put in your garden that mosquitoes don't like,' she said. 'Not surprisingly, that's some of the stronger smelling herbs –things like your rosemary, your basil, your mint – and then things like nasturtium, lavender, marigolds and beebalms.' Sheppard says using natural remedies rather than chemicals is critical to protecting the environment. 'We're all annoyed by mosquitoes, but mosquitoes are really, really important for our local bird populations in particular,' she said. 'They're a major food source, and when we're using pesticides and things, we're not just impacting mosquitoes, we're impacting all sorts of insects – and that in turns harms birds and other creatures.' The city will continue to monitor the mosquito population in Lethbridge throughout the summer until temperatures begin to cool in the fall.
CTV News
30-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
‘Use a lot less water': Environment Lethbridge plants new drought-resilient garden on city's west side
Drought-resistent plants are the focus of a new garden in Tartan Park in West Highlands in Lethbridge. Conserving water and finding alternative planting options is the focus of a new garden installed on Lethbridge's west side. A new drought-resilient garden has been installed in Tartan Park in West Highlands as a way to demonstrate the possibilities of drought-resilient landscaping in Lethbridge. 'The tree that you see is a honey locust tree, which is not a native species, but is drought-resilient,' said Kathleen Sheppard, executive director of Environment Lethbridge. 'We have some native shrubs like snowberry, spirea and then we have some native grasses and plants -- some of things you might see in the coulee like flax.' The garden was built in partnership with the City of Lethbridge and funded by the Wawanesa Local Climate Champions Fund. Sheppard hopes the project will not only add aesthetic value to the park but inspire homeowners to explore different landscaping options. 'So, drought tolerant plants --once they're established so it usually takes about a year where they need a little extra water to grow into their space -- will use a lot less water than plants that are not native to this area or just need more water overall to grow,' Sheppard said. Planning for future With water levels of the Oldman Reservoir sitting slightly below normal and a hot, dry summer forecasted, Sheppard says residents should be planning for the future now. 'Using drought-tolerant plants doesn't mean you have to use lots of rocks and lots of cactuses,' she said. 'Our weather is increasingly hot and dry and so that means if we want to have landscaping in our homes that doesn't consume so much water, then we need to be looking at some of these alternatives.' The City of Lethbridge parks department is finding ways to be sustainable in its own spaces throughout the city. 'We do have a large list of trees that are resilient to the changing climate so those are being implemented in different urban parks,' said Raene Barber, sustainability engineer with the City of Lethbridge. 'As well, our parks department is doing naturalization projects within urban parks as well so looking at instead of planting turf grass, planting native species.' The planting of drought-resilient plants marks the start of Environment Week in Lethbridge. Tree planting Both Environment Lethbridge and the city will host a tree planting event in Redwood, Lakeview and Columbia parks next week. A Beyond the Bin recycling roundup will take place on June 7 at Park Place Mall. The event will be open to residents to bring paint, electronics and other challenging recyclables to be collected by the city. The city will also be hosting a birding workshop and a 'how to build your own rain barrel' event throughout next week. 'Everything matters when it comes to the environment so even if it's something small that you're doing in your home, it absolutely makes a difference,' said Barber. Next week is Environment Week! ♻️🌱 Join us each day as we share stories and practical tips to help reduce waste, save water and more. Let's work together to protect our planet and build a greener future! 🌎💚 Follow along 👉 — City of Lethbridge (@LethbridgeCity) May 30, 2025 Applications are now open for the city's environment incentive program. The program offers rebates for purchasing rain barrels and replacing old toilets with new low-flow toilets. A full list of Environment Week activities can be found here.
CTV News
14-05-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Gardening season in bloom in southern Alberta
LETHBRIDGE, ALTA. — Green thumbs will be out in force this week, as the May long weekend marks the unofficial start of gardening season in southern Alberta. Green Haven Garden Centre has seen a rush of people coming in to pick up gardening supplies. Customers are thrilled that they're finally able to get their gardens started. 'They're starting to get the plants. Some people are planting out, knowing that if it does get cold, they'll be prepared to protect them. But so far, the forecast looks really good. So away we go,' said Green Haven co-owner Gail Smith. Most people will wait until the May long weekend to plant to avoid cooler late spring temperatures that southern Alberta often sees. But recent good weather and a promising forecast have some getting an early jump on gardening. 'We are finding that, but we also are very cautious. Because so many years we've had long weekends where the weather can change. So people are cautious,' said Smith. The warm weather now is great for gardeners but could pose a problem later this summer. Many are expecting this summer to be warmer and drier than average. That could lead to water restrictions, forcing gardeners to be careful about how they use their water. 'Getting good mulch into your garden so that it holds the water into the soil,' said Kathleen Sheppard, executive director of Environment Lethbridge. 'And then just knowing about your watering techniques, not watering in the middle of the day when it's really hot, not watering when it's super windy, which is something we always have to be aware of.' Some gardeners are getting ahead of potential restrictions and looking at drought-resistant options, such as yarrow, lavender and native plants that can flourish even in hot and dry conditions. 'If we're planting out into the south or to the west, in the annuals, we're going to be going for things like portulaca, your zinnias, things that can tolerate lots of heat. Sedums are also really, really good. They're perennials that come back every year,' said Smith.
