KAMLOOPS THIS WEEK TUESDAY
LOCAL NEWS
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APRIL 19, 2016 | Volume 29 No. 47
GARDENING IN THE COSMETIC PESTICIDE-BAN ERA
GIVING IT AWAY TODAY’S WEATHER
Sunny and hot High 31 C Low 11 C
Couple makes big donation to Royal Inland Hospital
Experts tell you how to cope — and be healthy
B1
A12
Luring the
AN IMPERIAL HIGH FIVE
monarch
Two-year-old Karis Freiheit high-fives a Stormtrooper at the weekend’s Meet the Machines event at the Tk’emlups Indian Band’s Pow Wow Grounds. The second-year fundraiser for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation featured a wide array of machines to be climbed on by kids — and kids at heart. To see more photos from Saturday’s showcase of all things engines and horsepower, go online to kamloopsthisweek. com. ALLEN DOUGLAS/KTW
CAM FORTEMS STAFF REPORTER cam@kamloopsthisweek.com
K
amloops is on the northern fringe of monarch butterfly habitat, but planting is worth the effort for the chance to see the emergence of the rare and endangered insect, experts say. The David Suzuki Foundation is encouraging Canadians to plant milkweed to support monarchs. It is the only plant on which the butterfly will lay its eggs. Local naturalist Frank Ritcey has seen occurrences on the dike trail in the vicinity of Kamloops Airport and Cinnamon Ridge, which is home to naturally occurring milkweed. “I applaud the idea,” he said of planting milkweed. “But it’s not just what happens here.” The butterfly makes a multi-generational journey north from Mexico to the northern United States and into southern B.C. It is occasionally seen in the Kamloops area. “My understanding is we’re right on the northern tip,” Ritcey said. Kevin Scollon, co-ordinator of Thompson Rivers University’s horticulture program, said he’s seen only five or so monarchs in Kamloops. He said milkweed that occurs naturally here is showy milkweed, which is a natural home for monarch butterflies. The university may look at planting some showy milkweed on campus. Bev Leighton, who works at the Art Knapp information desk, said it’s common for customers to come in looking to plant milkweed in hopes of attracting the butterfly. Demand is so high the plants could not be obtained from a wholesaler this year, so the nursery cultivated its own. The milkweed plants are expected to be available in a few weeks. “A lot of people are asking,” she said. “It is the food of choice for monarchs.”
Ready for hens in the ‘hood? CAM FORTEMS
STAFF REPORTER
cam@kamloopsthisweek.com
While prospective urban farmers shouldn’t count their chickens before they’re hatched, it appears Kamloops council is lined up to support a bylaw that would allow hens in city backyards. Only two members of council, including Mayor Peter Milobar, spoke out yesterday against a proposed bylaw drawn up by city planners. In fact, most councillors said the rules are too restrictive and asked staff to come back with a better plan. Staff is recommending two hens be allowed on lots as small
as 4,000 square feet. Coops would have to be three metres from the dwelling house and lot lines and an electric fence is needed to deter predators. “It’s too restrictive,” complained Coun. Dennis Walsh. “I’m more for six chickens than reducing it to two.” Using the feedback from a special workshop at city hall, planners will come back with a revised document for recommendation to council. If it adopts a new bylaw allowing urban hens, the city will follow Vancouver, Saanich, Williams Lake, Terrace and Vernon in embracing the birds on urban lots.
Under current rules, only property owners sitting on more than one acre — about 1,100 lots — are allowed to raise chickens. If the proposed 4,000-squarefoot minimum is adopted by council, that will jump to 22,000 properties. “You’re going from zero to 90,” Coun. Ken Christian said. “There are farm families producing eggs. There’s not an egg shortage in Kamloops.” Christian said diseases including salmonella can result from poor hygiene and handling. “If those don’t get you, the kid will trip into the electric fence,” he said. See NOT ALL, A4
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