A P R I L 2021
Leaside Life
SS
ING LOCAL BU ORT SIN PP E SU
Leaside’s very own Butterflyway Ranger by JANIS FERTUCK When Suzanne Sharples was growing up in Caledon, she spent her summers tending to a large vegetable and flower garden. But since moving to Toronto, gardening has not been a priority...until now. Suzanne has recently become a Ranger for the David Suzuki Foundation’s Butterflyway Project. A notice for the project on Facebook prompted her to turn to the Internet to learn more. The project’s website explains that it was initiated in 2017 to help combat a sharp decline in pollinator insects, specifically bees and butterflies. The goal is to plant patches of native wildflowers and plants in as many neighbourhoods as possible to create a pollinator-friendly corridor or “Butterflyway.”
The Rangers spearhead the project in their communities by organizing a local team to help them establish a dozen pollinator patches. The project has grown from 250 Rangers in six cities initially, to more than 1,000 Rangers in 100-plus communities this year. While Leaside already has a connection to the Butterflyway Project with the Butterfly Canoe in front of the library, the position of Ranger appealed to the energetic Suzanne because of her background: “love of the outdoors and a desire to give back to the community through a productive project.” The organization provides inspiration, a framework for their endeavours, and a series of webinars for training purposes. The first webinar
dealt with the history of the project, resources and tips on how to be successful. Other topics include pollinators, schoolyard “greening,” community science and Ranger networking. The Rangers are responsible for providing seeds for pollinator-friendly plants such as milkweed, lavender and black-eyed Susans, and the soil for the planters and gardens. Suzanne’s early duties included ordering seeds and asking the community via Facebook to donate pots. She then started planting in small containers, even germinating milkweed seeds in her refrigerator to provide the best conditions. At the same time, she approached local residents about taking flowers for their BUTTERFLYWAY Page 5
WE ARE PROUDLY DISTRIBUTED BY LEASIDE'S OWN ACCURATE DISTRIBUTING 416-429-9102
JANIS FERTUCK
leasidelife.com
No. 107