Places for Learning About the Importance of Pollinators in Edible Gardens

Project Overview

Our project, Places for Learning About the Importance of Pollinators in Edible Gardens, was driven by a commitment to promote climate action and ecological awareness within our Parkdale community. The focus was on enhancing biodiversity in existing gardens by introducing and nurturing native pollinator species in our edible gardens. Our initial plan included work in both the Milky Way Garden and the HOPE Garden.

As committed in the application, we planted a portion of pollinator plants along the perimeter of the H.O.P.E Garden. However, we shifted much of our efforts to the Dunn Indigenous Garden (DIG), in response to energy with Indigenous groups we partnered with, which is about 100 meters from the HOPE garden.

This contributed meaningfully to the revitalization of the Dunn Indigenous Garden, which holds significant cultural and ecological importance.

Background and Rationale

Research underscores the importance of planting native species to increase pollinator activity, which is a priority of this project (Fukase & Simons, 2016). Urban areas such as Toronto offer a unique opportunity to support pollinator populations by creating green spaces like community gardens (Daniels et al., 2020). Pollinators are essential for food production and the health of ecosystems, and urban areas have been particularly impacted by declines in pollinator populations due to habitat loss (Olsson et al., 2021). Our project aimed to address these declines by increasing the presence of native pollinators and promoting ecological awareness in urban spaces.

Garden Design and Implementation

Our two gardens are affiliated with the West Neighborhood House through the Greenest City Program, which focuses on building resilient, healthy, and inclusive neighborhoods through climate action. This affiliation is rooted in the Thriving Earth, Thriving People approach, which emphasizes collective care for the earth and each other, with a particular focus on communities that are most impacted by climate change. These priorities include food sovereignty, land stewardship, and righting relations with Indigenous peoples, with the goal of ensuring communities can respond to climate change and enhance resilience.

The Milky Way Garden and Dunn Indigenous Garden were carefully chosen for their suitability to support native pollinator species. Both gardens feature optimal conditions for planting, including full sunlight, well-drained soil, and the ability to support a variety of plant species. By selecting plants suited to these environments, we ensured that pollinators would thrive, providing long-term ecological benefits to the community.

The Dunn Indigenous Garden, in particular, has been enhanced with pollinator species integral to Indigenous land stewardship and ecological practices. In addition to planting six pollinator areas with more than 30 species inside of the garden, we installed educational signage to reflect Indigenous knowledge and ecological relationships. This holistic approach promotes both environmental restoration and cultural renewal.

Educational Component

One of the core aspects of this project was the Pollinator Education workshop series, which sought to educate community members on the importance of pollinators in supporting biodiversity, food production, and local ecosystems.

From June until the end of November, we were fortunate to receive support from South of Parkdale Pollinator Gardens, Allyson Lyske, who helped facilitate biweekly educational components. Additionally, we partnered with Canada Nos Une, Monarch Butterfly Project to offer eco arts workshops that focused on creating educational signage in both Anishinaabe and English. These signs were installed in the gardens to highlight the significance of pollinators and plants, reflecting Indigenous ecological knowledge and fostering cultural connections.

A key highlight of the project was the workshops for our Growing the Future, Kids Gardening Program, and the West NH Youth Newcomer Program, held at the Milky Way Garden. This workshop was designed to engage, children, (6 to 12) and young newcomers (16-25) in hands-on activities, emphasizing the interconnections between edible gardens and pollinator gardens. Participants learned about how pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, are essential for food production. They gained an understanding of the role pollinators play in growing food and supporting local ecosystems.

Furthermore, we worked with Milky Way Garden gardeners to deepen their knowledge of the relationship between edible and pollinator gardens. We  highlighted the importance of attracting pollinators to enhance food production and improve garden health. Activities included planting pollinator species alongside edible plants and learning garden management techniques that supported both food-growing efforts and biodiversity.

Over the course of the project, around 100 local residents and supporters participated in the educational hands-on activities. These involved a range of actions, such as planting pollinator species, spreading seeds, and learning sustainable gardening practices. The workshops engaged people of all ages, including children, youth, families, and seniors, fostering a sense of community and environmental stewardship.

Volunteer Support

The project benefitted greatly from the involvement of approximately 40 volunteers from both corporate and community members & organizations. Volunteers contributed significantly by helping with planting, watering, weeding, mulching, and other essential tasks needed to maintain the gardens throughout the growing season. Their support played a crucial role in the success and sustainability of the gardens, ensuring that the project met its objectives.

Conclusion

This project has made significant strides in enhancing urban biodiversity,  promoting ecological awareness, and supporting Indigenous reconciliation efforts. The shift to the Dunn Indigenous Garden was an important step in our commitment to respecting and building relationships with Indigenous communities, while also contributing to environmental sustainability.

The involvement of 100 community members, 40 volunteers, and numerous educational partners has created a lasting legacy of knowledge and action.

The project has not only contributed to the revitalization of the Dunn Indigenous Garden but has also empowered local residents with the knowledge to foster pollinator-friendly practices in their own gardens, contributing to a sustainable, resilient community in the face of climate change. We are proud of the outcomes of this project and look forward to continuing to support ecological stewardship and community engagement in the future.

- By West Neighbourhoods House - Greenest City Program