In 2024, the award-winning Butterflyway Project continued to bloom throughout the country — from the lively streets of big cities and quiet communities of small towns to the rolling fields of rural farms. In February, the David Suzuki Foundation welcomed 250 new Rangers into the Butterflyway community, while continuing to support the existing 1,500 Rangers.
Equipped with the Foundation’s training on native plants, pollinators, habitat gardening and community organizing, Rangers didn’t just learn, they led! Online sessions and virtual meetups laid the groundwork, but the real magic happened when Rangers took charge, sharing seeds, plants, wisdom and big ideas.
Rangers are the public face and heart of the Butterflyway Project. They are community builders and nature lovers, artists and scientists, novice and master gardeners and everything in between. What they share is a commitment to work together on native plant and pollinator protection.
“We had so much fun making a float for our local parade, taking care of the school garden, asking for donations from local businesses, giving away native plants and seeds, giving presentations and collecting seed. This was already my life, but being a Ranger made me feel like I was part of a conservation community.” Ranger Tammy, Manitoba
This year saw a greater advocacy push, with Rangers participating in our collaborative Bylaws for Biodiversity initiative. The Foundation and partners conducted research, created resources and initiated a national conversation among municipal staff and elected officials.
Many Rangers also participated in Seed Sitters, a program that provides English and French guidance and resources to gardeners growing native plants from seed. The simple and inexpensive seed-starting method follows nature’s lead and can be applied on balconies as well as in backyards.
However, the heart of this program is habitat creation and care, and in 2024, Rangers delivered! Together they planted 10,200 native wildflowers and grasses and 250 native trees and shrubs in 200 habitat gardens. They also completed 20 new Butterflyways, which are collections of 12 or more habitat gardens in close proximity, bringing the cross-country count to 139. (See below for a list of new Butterflyways.) Many of the habitat gardens and Butterflyways created and cared for by Rangers and their teams are featured on the project’s website.
For many Rangers, volunteering with the Butterflyway Project is about more than gardening; it’s about hope, joy and belonging. From neighbours swapping seeds to communities rallying around threatened gardens, the connections formed here are nothing short of magical. The testimonials below demonstrate the power of this little project that keeps on growing.
“This has been a huge part of my reconciliation work and building relationships with the land I am entrusted to steward. I’ve met so many people and connected with so many neighbours. Sharing plants and building community. I love being a Ranger.” Anonymous Ranger
“I appreciated the community involvement it fostered. By creating our gardens, we connected more with the neighbours than any other project our school has undertaken.” Ranger Heather, British Columbia
“Being a Ranger is a wonderful way to share experiences about the importance of planting pollinator gardens and helping pollinators thrive.” Ranger Janet, Ontario
Ranger recruitment for 2025 will take place in February. Please follow the David Suzuki Foundation on social media and sign up for our e-newsletter to stay informed.
The Butterflyway Project is proudly supported by national partner Cascades, with additional funding from the Chamandy Foundation.
Butterflyways completed in 2024:
Bolton 2024 Butterflyway, Bolton, ON
Cardinal Glen Butterflyway, Ottawa, ON
Dunsford Butterflyway, Dunsford, ON
Glenelm Butterflyway, Winnipeg, MB
Huron Woods Butterflyway, Grand Bend, ON
LaHave Butterflyway, LaHave, NS
Lindenlea Butterflyway, Ottawa, ON
Malvern Garden Butterflyway, Toronto, ON
Manor Park Butterflyway, Ottawa, ON
Mount Pleasant Butterflyway, Vancouver, BC
Morgan’s Point Butterflyway, Wainfleet, ON
Niagara Falls Butterflyway, Niagara Falls, ON
PAL Toronto Butterflyway, Toronto, ON
Rewilders’ 1km Pollinator Pathway, Toronto, ON
Riverside Butterflyway, Ottawa, ON
Rothesay Butterflyway, Rothesay, NB
The Wild Butterflyway, Mississippi Mills, ON
Glencoe GDHS Butterflyway, Glencoe, ON
OSEAN-Hunt Club #2 Butterflyway, Ottawa, ON
OSEAN-Riverview-Elmvale-Urbandale #2 Butterflyway, Ottawa, ON
