Date: June 7th, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Fletcher Wildlife Garden

We’ll be celebrating PAD again at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden. Meet people who have created a pollinator garden, talk with scientists who study pollinators, connect with organizations that support pollinator projects.

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. They are also part of our local ecosystems – the web of life.

This year’s theme is EVERY BIT MATTERS. Find out how simply adding native plants to your garden, removing a hard surface, or waiting a couple of weeks to tidy up your yard can help preserve biodiversity and increase natural habitat.

A variety of experts representing organizations or themselves will be on hand to share information, answer questions, tell you everything you need to know about helping pollinators.

Enter a free raffle to win a “little bit” for your garden. We’re offering pollinator favourites that are sure to attract bees and butterflies to your yard: Serviceberry tree (small), Red Osier Dogwood, Figwort, Flat-topped Aster, Heart-leaved Aster, and more.

 

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. Tour the Fletcher Wildlife Garden to see pollination in action. 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 Canadian Wildlife Federation has a wealth of information on pollinator gardening, most based on experience in their own extensive gardens surrounding their facility in Kanata.

CAFES wants you to know about their advocacy work – especially getting the boulevard bylaw passed, but also their work on community engagement in cooperation with Carleton University.

The Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton will have fact sheets on garden cleanup to benefit pollinators and beneficial insects. They’ll tell you how pollinators are attracted to different flower shapes and colours. Colouring activity for kids and some pollinator friendly plants for gardeners.

Find out from the Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library how to create a native plant garden at no cost. Pick up free seeds at their fall swap events, learn to “winter sow” seeds to grow your own garden.

Friends of the Earth have been lobbying to reduce the use of neonicotinoids on garden plants.

The Ottawa Stewardship Council has a long history of working with volunteers and community associations to take care of our natural spaces.

Ecology Ottawa will tell you about its pollinator gardening program.

The Ontario Invasive Plant Council will have information on recognizing and removing invasive species.

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 school board to students and their parents. Pick up a Common Milkweed “seed bomb” and get started on your own butterfly garden.

Find out how the new boulevard bylaw means you can expand your garden to the edge of the street. A City of Ottawa bylaw representative will provide information about what’s allowed and what’s encouraged, including creating a rain garden. 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 explain how to keep your yard safe for birds.

New this year: Four native plant nurseries will be on hand to show you their stock and help you choose the best pollinator plants for your garden – Echo Native Plants, Nursery for the Earth, Ottawa Valley Native Plants, and Solidago Farm.

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.

If you missed last year’s event, please see the list of resources and participants.