About the Toronto Beaches Butterflyway
The Butterflyway Project is a citizen-led movement growing highways of habitat for bees and butterflies across Canada.
After being recruited in March 2017, the Beaches Butterflyway Rangers planted more than 40 pollinator patches in schoolyards, yards and parks. This included establishing four canoe gardens and butterfly gardens at several schools and daycares, plus more than 30 pollinator patches created by Beach Garden Society members.
The Rangers attended and hosted events, plant sales and art shows during the summer and connected with local groups like the Toronto 188th Girl Guides, Beach Garden Society and WoodGreen Community Services. Due to overwhelming interest in the project, Coun. Mary Margaret McMahon hosted a second Ranger training session during the summer.
In July, the Beaches Rangers had surpassed their target of establishing a dozen pollinator plantings to officially receive Canada’s first neighbourhood Butterflyway designation.
In September 2017, the Beaches Rangers hosted a Pollinator Parade along the Beaches boardwalk, featuring a local New Orleans jazz group and costumes from Clay and Paper Theatre and Botanicus Arts Ensemble. The musical parade was followed by a festival in Kew Gardens Park, which included bee and butterfly crafts, a documentary screening, live music and food and drinks from local vendors.
Special thanks to the many partners who helped the Rangers host events and get plants into the ground, including Ed’s Real Scoop Leslieville, Thomas Neil Real Estate, DeClute Real Estate and The Richards Group, Beau’s All Natural Brewing and Southbrook Vineyards.
Toronto Beaches Butterflyway locations
Use this interactive map to explore the locations of butterfly-friendly pollinator patches that volunteer Butterflyway Rangers established in Toronto’s Beaches neighbourhood with the support of local residents, groups, schools, city officials and Foundation staff.
