Join Monarch Nation
Monarch Nation is a national program for residents of all ages to get involved in actions to help Monarch butterflies and other species at risk in Canada. By joining the network of communities across Canada, you’ll be part of a movement to protect, raise awareness and have fun, while taking action to help these important species.

Tracking Migrations and Seasons
Journey North provides online support and tools to report and track sightings of pollinators and other species. The sightings are mapped in real-time as waves of migrations move across the planet. You can use Journey North to report sightings of pollinators, view maps, take pictures and leave comments. 

Insight Citizen Science
Insight Citizen Science is a mobile app designed to help citizens learn about North America’s essential pollinators and participate in observation-based research. The app includes an Insight Guide to learn about the observation process and how to identify pollinators. You can then record your findings and explore past observation data submitted by the citizen science community.  

Pollinator-Friendly Plant List
Bumble BeeCredit Valley Conservation has compiled a list of beautiful pollinator-friendly native plants. Take a look and give some a try to attract and help butterflies, bees, moths and other important pollinators

Creating a Habitat
Toronto Region Conservation created an educational guide about the proper ways to create habitat in your own backyard. Providing habitat can give wildlife a greater chance of survival and the opportunity to maintain and increase their population.

The Pollinator Partnership Canada
The Pollinator Action Team/Pollinator Partnership Canada (P2C) provides Ontario ecoregional planting guides to help you select the best plants for pollinators in your region. They also welcome and encourage highly motivated individuals to apply to become volunteers and or to gain experience through internships.

Wildlife Preservation Canada
Wildlife Preservation Canada's mission is to save animal species at risk from extinction in Canada by providing direct, hands-on care. Several pollinating butterfly and bee species have recently been categorized as 'at risk' in Canada. Wildlife Preservation Canada's pollinator initiative aims to save these important insects from extinction.

Bumble Bee Watch
Bumble Bee Watch is a collaborative effort to track and conserve North America's bumble bees!

A Guide to Toronto's Pollinators
David Suzuki's guide to bees, butterflies and other pollinators that can be found in Toronto and area gardens.

Feed the Bee's
Basic information regarding pollinators in Ontario and how to help them.

Learn what the City of Pickering is doing to help pollinators.

Monarch Waystations

Monarch and Bee on flowerMonarch Waystations are places that provide monarch butterflies with the necessary resources to help the species survive and to assist them in completing their migration. By creating and maintaining these waystations, you will be contributing to Monarch Butterfly conservation. Visit Monarch Watch for more information.

How can you help? In order to counteract the extensive loss of milkweed and nectar sources, we need to create, conserve and protect monarch butterfly habitats. Creating a "Monarch Waystation", is as simple as adding milkweeds or other native plant nectar sources to existing gardens. These waystations can be set up anywhere, such as home gardens, schools, parks, businesses, or even along roadsides.

If you decide to participate, you can certify your new or existing monarch habitat to show that you are contributing to monarch conservation. Upon certification your site will be included in the International Monarch Waystation Registry, an online listing of Monarch Waystations, and you will be awarded a certificate bearing your name and site's unique Monarch Waystation ID number.

Create and register your garden here.

Simple Ways You Can Help Pollinators
  • Create a pollinator-friendly garden! Help reverse the loss of native pollinator habitat by planting and protecting native pollinator-friendly plants on your property.
  • Choose a mixture of plants for spring, summer, and fall; different flower colours, shapes and scents will attract a wide variety of pollinators.
  • Reduce or eliminate pesticide use, choose alternatives, or incorporate plants that attract beneficial insects for pest control.
  • Provide clean water for pollinators with a shallow dish, bowl, or birdbath with half submerged stones for perches.
  • Leave dead tree trunks in your landscape for wood nesting bees and beetles.
  • Build a mason bee nest out of a recycled milk carton.
  • Support organic agriculture.
  • Take photos of bumble bees you see in North America and submit them to bumblebeewatch.org to help locate rare bumble bees and assist experts to learn more about Canadian bumble bees.

Tips for Attracting Butterflies
  • Place a flat rock in a sunny area and sheltered location as a basking spot for butterflies to warm themselves on. Butterflies need warm temperatures to fly and feed.
  • Select plants with bright, fragrant flowers that are tubular or flat-topped. These flowers are generally easier for adult butterflies to feed from with their long 'tongue' called proboscis.
  • Create mud puddles in the garden. Butterflies use these as a source of water and nutrients. A small area of exposed soil in the garden is the perfect spot.
  • Provide clean water for pollinators using a shallow dish, bowl, or birdbath with half submerged stones for perches.