Looking out the window today (February 11th) in Bruce County, it may not look like Spring is around the corner but it will be here in a matter of weeks and that means thoughts of gardens and parks are already percolating.
In the midst of a growing biodiversity crisis, people throughout Canada are stepping up. The David Suzuki Foundation has just opened a new round of applications for its sought-after Butterflyway Project, recruiting volunteers to lead exciting neighbourhood efforts that turn everyday spaces into habitat for wild bees and butterflies.
“What makes the Butterflyway Project powerful is that it’s both deeply local and truly national,” says project lead Jode Roberts. “People are restoring habitat in their own streets and yards, while becoming part of something much bigger.”
In Saugeen Shores, Kerry Jarvis and Melitta Smole were the founders of the Butterfly Gardens of Saugeen Shores (BGSS) and their passion for the Monarch butterfly was instrumental in mobilizing volunteers and funds to establish a network of butterfly-friendly gardens along the Lake Huron shoreline to alleviate the decline that was being experienced in the Monarch population.
For larger view, click on image
They also initiated the Butterfly Nature Library, a new activity book for children, the Monarch butterfly tagging ‘Adios Amigos’ program in 2015 and the many pods that include Chantry Island Lighthouse.
Today, there are three Butterflyway Rangers in Saugeen Shores who are initiating the rehabilitation of the Butterfly Gardens and who have gained the support of the local Council. Heading up the initiative, Ranger Terry Wilson, presented a delegation to Council saying that, “We want to reinvigorate the gardens and to inspire and encourage Saugeen Shores residents to create their own Butterflyway by planting native wildflowers or plants which will help our pollinator species.”
Local Annishinaabe children’s author, Dorothy Ladd of Saugeen Ojibway Nation, is also passionate about the Monarch butterfly, that she raises and tags for research during the summer months. Ladd has authored two books – ‘Memengwaa” (The Monarch Butterfly). The first book is written in Ojibway and English and her second book, that also features a workbook portion, is now in the Bruce County elementary school curriculum. Ladd lectures in local schools and libraries about her favourite subject … The Monarch Butterfly.
In a recent media release, the national Butterflyway Project, now celebrating its 10th year, ‘Ten years of planting and people power’, has mobilized Rangers in hundreds of communities, from Comox, B.C., to Lunenburg, N.S., to establish habitat gardens across parks, yards and schoolyards. Over the past decade, Rangers have planted 140,000 native wildflowers, grasses, trees and shrubs in more than 7,600 gardens, making their neighbourhoods healthier and wilder.
Until February 25th, residents can apply to join the next cohort of official Butterflyway Rangers — getting free online training and toolkits, an official Ranger T-shirt, Butterflyway garden signs and support from David Suzuki Foundation staff and an active community of more than 1,850 Rangers throughout the country.
“I love this project … love that this is happening grassroots across the county,” said Ranger Micole from Stouffville, Ontario. “The timing is perfect and people are aware of the importance of what we are doing and want to do their part. So great that our messaging is that everyone can do something and individual efforts combined is changing things. People don’t feel helpless but empowered to help change things.”
Terry Wilson added that, “We want to focus on sustainability through native plants that will need less fertilizer, less water and less mulch. Our strategy is sustainability and leveraging what is already there. When we expand to include peoples’ homes, (2026) they will be supporting their own gardens. In addition to our three Rangers, we already have volunteers lined up to begin working on projects immediately.”
He pointed out that, “Pollinators cannot use grass but need flowers and even weeds that flower and are a source of water. Sometimes doing nothing in a yard is better.”
For more visit: How to Plant a Pollinator Garden
For more information on the Butterflyway Project, visit www.davidsuzuki.org/butterflyway.
