What Can We Do?

Observe…

Just being out in nature, watching bees, butterflies and other pollinators go about their business can open our eyes to how hard working and important these species are. Take some time to observe them in their element and you likely won’t be able to think of them as “just bugs” again. If you want to take it to the next level, consider becoming a citizen scientist by signing up for one (or more!) pollinator initiatives. If you build a Bumble Bee Hotel, you can connect with the Alberta Native Bee council to report on how your box did over the season. Email Wildlife Preservation Canada at  pollinators@wildlifepreservation.ca to join one of their  Community Science Initiatives.

Protect in your lawn…

Maybe you’re not ready to convert your entire yard into a Food Forest. That’s fine. There are many ways you can protect pollinators and some are as easy as these idea for Smart Lawn to Protect Pollinators by Michigan State University Extention. Maybe you want to have your cake and eat it too by keeping the lawn but transitioning to a Flowering Bee Lawn for Pollinators?

Protect in your garden…

Beyond offering a diversity of flowering plants throughout the seasons, one of the best things you can do to protect pollinators in your garden is to stop using herbicides, pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Easy, right? Now consider leaving a patch of untouched area in your garden. These spaces encourage ground nesting species to make homes in your yard. Please don’t remove native bee colonies from your yard… most native bees are quite docile and only sting when they are trapped.

Protect in the community garden…

Here’s a fantastic resource from the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority for Maintaining Your Pollinator Garden: A Guide for Community Gardens.