GOOD NEWS for the Junction! The City’s PollinateTO program is providing us with $5,000 in funding to expand our three Butterfly Gardens (near BMO) to the 19 additional concrete raised tree beds in the BIA, creating a pollinator corridor across Dundas Street West.
Why are the Butterfly Gardens important?
Toronto is home to more than 360 species of bees and over 100 species of butterflies. Pollinators play an integral role in contributing to urban biodiversity, support healthy ecosystems and are a crucial component of a sustainable city.
You might not know this, but Toronto has a (un)official butterfly, the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus). In fact, Project Swallowtail is a recently founded collaborative effort that connects communities and empowers residents to restore nature in west Toronto. Their efforts increase our urban biodiversity and butterfly habitat, including Swallowtails, with every square foot replanted.
With The Junction Butterfly Gardens spread across Dundas W, we increase the vital space for these beautiful and threatened creatures. Visitors who slow down, observe and return to the gardens frequently are rewarded with the chance to watch butterflies progress through their lifecycle, from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to adult butterfly.
Not only that, but the butterfly garden is full of colourful blooms hosting these delicate insects.
We are currently working with our local landscaper, Parkdale Green Thumb Enterprises, on our Butterfly Gardens plan. The gardens will be planted in Spring 2022.
For more information about the program please see here.
The City of Toronto supports this project through Live Green Toronto and the PollinateTO Grants Program. Additionally, we are grateful to our 2022/23 Sponsors; Cardinal Funeral Homes, Doulas on Bikes, Parkdale Green Thumb Enterprises, and Toronto Mortgage Financing. With their assistance, we can guarantee another year of hosting the gardens in the Junction!
Please email Carol Jolly, our Executive Director, for more information on next year’s program.
