The Butterflyway Project is a citizen-led movement that is growing highways of habitat for bees and butterflies through neighbourhoods in communities across Canada. This year it is in Leslieville!
Leslieville Butterflyway Project
The David Suzuki Foundation recruited volunteers from Toronto’s Leslieville neighbourhood in spring 2018 to become Butterflyway Rangers. The Rangers will learn about bees, butterflies and wildflowers and will return to their neighbourhood with a mission: to establish a neighbourhood butterflyway with at least a dozen pollinator patches this summer. In 2017, the David Suzuki Foundation recruited 14 east end residents to help establish a butterflyway through the Beaches neighbourhood.
The team of 14 Butterflyway Rangers participated in events, and connected with local groups and businesses like the Beaches Garden Society, Woodgreen, Ed’s Real Scoop and several schools and daycares. By the end of the summer, more than 20 pollinator patches were established and the Beaches became Canada’s first official butterflyway! Let's see what will happen in Leslieville this summer!
Introductory Ranger training took place on April 25th at Matty Eckler Recreation Centre. Participants learned about local bees, butterflies and wildflowers, community organizing,and tips on how to fundraise, host events and establish plantings at schools and parks. A second meeting will be help on May 9th. Rangers will be expected to volunteer at least four hours per month, from May to September. Each participant will receive support and guidance (and lots of high fives!) from David Suzuki Foundation staff.
There is no cost for participating in the Butterflyway Ranger program. A big thank you to the David Suzuki Foundation and the Butterflyway team! Click here for more information.
