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 hundreds of communities throughout the country!
Over 1,000 keen Canadians volunteered to become Butterflyway Rangers this year. They took part in online training and committed to growing Butterflyways where they live.
Despite these uncertain times, Rangers and their recruits planted pollinator patches in thousands of yards, gardens, schools and parks in 2021, and over 60 new Butterflyways were officially established!
This map includes pollinator patches planted by Butterflyway Rangers in 2021.
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 five years, we’ve recruited and trained over 2,000 Butterflyway Rangers from hundreds of communities. They’ve connected with neighbours, schools, city agencies, businesses and community groups. To date, they’ve helped:
- Get 85,000+ butterfly-friendly wildflowers into the ground.
- Create 6,000+ pollinator patches for wild bees and butterflies.
- Establish official Butterflyways in 75 communities and neighbourhoods.
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 Nature Inspiration Award!
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
