Gardeners and naturalists encouraged to join the popular Butterflyway Project as it continues to bloom in year eight
TORONTO | Traditional territories of several First Nations including the Williams Treaties First Nations, Huron-Wendat, the Anishnaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Chippewas and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation — The David Suzuki Foundation is recruiting volunteers from across Canada to take part in the Butterflyway Project. This award-winning project taps into the enthusiasm and dedication of volunteers, affectionately referred to as Butterflyway Rangers, to boost wild bee and butterfly populations in neighbourhoods throughout Canada.
Butterflyway Rangers are part of a national network of pollinator advocates, educators, gardeners and land stewards. They receive support and training from David Suzuki Foundation staff and experts via monthly webinars and online resources, and connect with one another through online meetups, social media and in-person gatherings.
Rangers and their projects vary greatly, but a core goal for all is the creation of a Butterflyway, which is 12 or more habitat gardens located close together. Other activities include hosting and participating in events such as seed swaps, plant sales, community plantings and seasonal fairs.
To learn more about the Ranger role and how to apply, please visit the David Suzuki Foundation website. Applications will be accepted between February 5 to 19, 2024.
“Since 2017, Butterflyway Rangers have created and cared for thousands of native plant gardens that support pollinators, beautify neighbourhoods and connect communities. Their dedication to wild plants and insects is an inspiration,” said Colleen Cirillo, campaigner with the David Suzuki Foundation.
Over the past seven years, Rangers in hundreds of communities from Comox, British Columbia, to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, have established more than 7,200 habitat gardens and 119 Butterflyways in their neighbourhoods. These gardens provide food and shelter for wild bees and butterflies, manage stormwater, lessen the urban heat island effect and allow for nature exploration where people live.
“Cascades has been a proud supporter of the Butterflyway Project since 2017,” said Hugo D’Amours, Cascades vice-president communications, public affairs and sustainability. “This project demonstrates the positive environmental and social impacts of well-directed and informed teamwork. The David Suzuki Foundation has built a countrywide community of people supporting imperilled pollinators and the native plants they rely upon. We look forward to another year of learning and working together for positive change.”
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For more information about the Butterflyway Project, visit www.davidsuzuki.org/butterflyway.
For more information or to arrange media interviews, please contact:
Kate Kourtsidis, 613-806-8184, kkourtsidis@davidsuzuki.org
About:
The David Suzuki Foundation (DavidSuzuki.org | @DavidSuzukiFdn) is a leading Canadian environmental non-profit organization, founded in 1990. We operate in English and French, with offices in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. We collaborate with all people in Canada, including First Nations leadership and communities, governments, businesses and individuals to find solutions to create a sustainable Canada through scientific research, traditional ecological knowledge, communications and public engagement, and innovative policy and legal solutions. Our mission is to protect nature’s diversity and the well-being of all life, now and for the future.
The David Suzuki Foundation’s Butterflyway Project launched in 2017 in Toronto, Markham, Richmond and Victoria, and in Montreal as l’Effet papillon. More than 1,400 volunteer Butterflyway Rangers have been recruited in hundreds of communities. Rangers have planted more than 106,000 native wildflowers and grasses and approximately 2,900 trees and shrubs in 7,200 habitat gardens. As of 2023, Rangers have established 119 Butterflyways.
The Butterflyway Project won the 2020 Nature Inspiration Award from the Canadian Museum of Nature. The Butterflyway Project is proudly supported by national partner Cascades, with additional support from the Chamandy Foundation and Genus Capital Management.