Date: June 8th, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Prince of Wales Drive

Join the celebration

In 2019, then mayor, Jim Watson, declared June 7 Pollinator Appreciation Day. Then COVID happened and we weren’t paying much attention to pollinators. That stops now. This year we’re celebrating.

Wild Pollinator Partners is all about appreciating pollinators. We love how they make sure we have fruit and vegetables to eat and beautiful flowers in our gardens. Help us celebrate Pollinator Appreciation Day by finding out more about them and how they need our help.

A variety of experts representing organizations or themselves will be on hand to share information and answer questions.

Enter to win a free starter pollinator garden kit of 27 plants or learn how to plan your own garden to provide flowers for pollinators in spring, summer, and fall. Find out how to start a pollinator garden at your local school or park. Recognize invasive species to keep these problem plants out of your yard. Play a game, do a craft with your kids.

Don’t have space for plants? Help pollinators by volunteering at an existing garden or project, like Pinhey Sand Dunes butterfly sanctuary or Hampton Woods.

The Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton will have fact sheets on garden cleanup to benefit pollinators and beneficial insects, how to identify invasive plants, and native shade plants for every season. They will also show you how to grow native plants in containers for sun and shade locations.

Others will have information on removing invasive plants. Come to this event for information, encouragement, and a sympathetic ear.

Monarch Teacher Network members are experts in creating butterfly/pollinator gardens at schools – not only how to plant a garden, but also how to make it a success by involving everyone from the schoolboard to students and their parents.

Find out how the new boulevard bylaw means you can expand your garden to the edge of the street. A city bylaw representative will provide information about what’s allowed and what’s encouraged. Questions welcome!!

Researchers from Ottawa University will introduce you to some native bees in our Backyard Garden and tell you about their “lifestyles” and needs.

Bird Friendly Ottawa members will take you on a tour of the FWG to show you how birds contribute to the distribution of some of our native plants and trees. They’ll also explain how to keep your yard safe for birds.

Enjoy these activities and more. Find out why everyone wants to help pollinators and how. You’ll be amazed at the beauty and drama in our natural world.