Project Pollinator

York Region has been home to several initiatives to help increase our sensitive insect populations. This project aims to create pollinator meadows to increase the population of butterflies, bees and other insects.

Most of the world’s flowering plants depend on a pollinator to move pollen from the male plant to female plant to produce vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds, including farm crops.

Transforming these Regionally owned boulevards (green space that runs alongside roads) into environmentally friendly meadows replaces existing grass with flowering plants, eliminating the need to cut the grass with diesel mowers, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The addition of plants will also assist in the removal of carbon dioxide from the environment while producing clean air.

Pollinators support our ecosystem that clean the air, stabilize soils, protect from severe weather and support other wildlife by cross pollinating, a process that allows plants to produce vegetables, fruit and seeds needed to create more plants.

It is estimated some 85% of the world’s flowering plants depend on a pollinator to move pollen from the male plant to female plant to produce vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds. This includes about 35% of the crops people harvest and eat, meaning one out of every three bites of food you eat is there because of a pollinator. Pollination is also required for plants to reproduce, creating a plentiful food supply for the animals that produce dairy and meat.

The creation of a pollinator meadow will also replace existing grass with flowering plants, eliminating the need to cut the grass with diesel mowers, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The addition of plants will assist in the removal of carbon dioxide from the environment while producing clean air locally.

The public space will encourage residents to enjoy the outdoors by providing a destination where they can observe and learn about the importance of creating pollination sites as well as the significant role pollinating bees and butterflies play in our local environment by reading educational signs.

Several factors were considered when the meadow locations were selected. For example, the first bee and butterfly pollination meadow created on Bayview Avenue, south of Bethesda Sideroad in the City of Richmond Hill was selected because of the location’s proximity to water, lower traffic volumes, community centre and public park facilities.

York Region crews will be at the meadows to prepare the meadow beds for planting when weather conditions are favorable. Preparation will include grading and the removal of some of the land, which will be replaced with topsoil. Residents will see and may hear the equipment when onsite.

Reclaimed stone from Regional roads projects will be used to stabilize the slopes surrounding the meadows if needed.

Following the preparation of the meadow bed and when weather conditions are ideal, vegetation such as native milkweed, willow and silvery lupines will be planted to attract pollinating bees and butterflies, allowing them to thrive.

York Region’s Roads and Traffic Operations worked with Forestry to ensure the appropriate plants and flowers are planted to encourage pollination and create an inviting and sustainable environment.

York Region continues to work toward finalizing the details for the new meadow locations.

Residents and the community are invited to visit york.ca/ProjectPollinator and follow @YorkRegionGovt on Facebook and Twitter for update and event information. 

York Region continues to work on funding and further details for each of the planned pollinator meadow locations across the Region. All members of the community will be invited to participate in the planting of the meadows, and we will communicate that opportunity when the details are finalized.

Please continue to visit york.ca/ProjectPollinator for meadow construction updates and details regarding how you can get involved.

If you have questions or concerns, staff will be pleased to respond. Contact us using any method noted below and quote “Project Pollinator” in your inquiry:

York Region Transportation, Public Works
Phone: 1-877-464-9675 ext. 75000
TTY: 1-866-512-6228
Email: @email

Location: Bayview Avenue and Stone Road

Location: Mount Albert Road west of Woodbine Avenue

Location: Morton Avenue between Woodbine Avenue and The Queensway

Location: Keele Street and Carmichael Crescent

Location: Kennedy Road north of Austin Drive

Location: Bathurst Street and Davis Drive

Location: Bayview Avenue, south of Bethesda Side Road, City of Richmond Hill
Size: 50 metres by 5 metres
Plantings: Approximately 1,100 plants including native milkweed, willow and silvery lupines

Location: Pine Valley Drive north of Highway 7

Location: Aurora Road and McMullen Drive