Butterflyway Rangers
Wild pollinators such as butterflies and bees are crucial to human survival. Climate change, development and widespread pesticide use are compromising their habitat and food sources. The Butterflyway Project aims to help people step up efforts to help pollinators find food and shelter.
The Butterflyway Project has expanded to more than 400 communities throughout the country!
Despite these uncertain times, over 1,000 keen residents volunteered to become Butterflyway Rangers this year. They are taking part in online training and they have committed to growing Butterflyways where they live.
Rangers are learning, connecting and preparing to make pollinator magic in their neighbourhoods. Despite the pandemic, last year Rangers planted hundreds of pollinator patches in yards, gardens, schools and parks, and six new Butterflyways were officially established! We expect more Ranger-fuelled fun in 2021!
This map includes over 400 communities where Butterflyway Rangers were recruited in 2020.
About the Butterflyway Project
The Butterflyway Project is a volunteer-led movement that’s bringing nature home to neighbourhoods throughout Canada, one butterfly-friendly planting at a time.
The Butterflyway Project began in five Canadian cities in 2017. We recruited a team of volunteer Butterflyway Rangers in each. Their mission was to plant native wildflowers in yards, schoolyards, streets and parks to support bees and butterflies. The goal was to establish local “Butterflyways” by planting at least a dozen pollinator patches in each neighbourhood or community.
Over the past four years, we’ve recruited and trained 1,008 Butterflyway Rangers from over 100 communities. They’ve connected with neighbours, schools, city agencies, businesses and community groups. To date, they’ve helped:
- Get 54,000 butterfly-friendly wildflowers into the ground.
- Create 1000+ pollinator patches.
- Establish official Butterflyways in 15 communities.
The Butterflyway Project shows that a small group of residents can make a big difference. Rangers make their communities greener and healthier. They create opportunities, connect people and champion fun ideas. Check out some of their stories below to get inspired!
The Butterflyway Project is based on our Homegrown National Park Project, an award-winning initiative project that created butterfly-friendly corridors in three Toronto neighbourhoods. In 2020, the Butterflyway Project received the Canadian Museum of Nature’s 2020 Nature Inspiration Award!
Butterflyway Ranger Programs
British Columbia Butterflyways
Ontario Butterflyways
Tools and resources
Mayors' monarch pledge
Become a monarch-friendly community!
Communities across North America are taking action to help save the monarch butterfly. Contact your mayor and/or local government agency and ask them to come on board!
Our partners
