The Junction Butterfly Gardens
In partnership with The City’s PollinateTO program, we designed and maintain 24 Butterfly Gardens in our concrete raised tree beds, creating a pollinator corridor across Dundas Street West.
Our pollinator pathway showcases each Butterfly Garden and educates visitors. This year, we plan to include animation in the design of each sign. The artwork will come to life using the Artivive app! All you have to do is download the Artivive app on Google Play or the App Store-Apple and view the artwork through your smartphone!
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.
The City of Toronto supports this project through Live Green Toronto and the PollinateTO Grants Program. Additionally, we are grateful to our 2022 Sponsors; Cardinal Funeral Homes, Doulas on Bikes, Parkdale Green Thumb Enterprises, and Toronto Mortgage Financing.
