PollinateTO Grants

We’ve got templates!

Please use these templates to help you organize your project and submit with your online application:

• Property Owner Permission Letter (Word doc) – Not required for projects in Pre-approved City Parks (pdf)
• Proposed Plant List (Word doc)
• Garden Maintenance Plan (Word doc)
• Proposed Budget (Excel doc)
• Garden Locations Summary – use for 6 or more gardens only (Word doc)

Upload the documents via the online application form or send by email to pollinateTO@toronto.ca – Please include your Group Name & Project Name in the subject line.

Take a peak at the application questions

To preview all the questions before you begin your application, download the PollinateTO Application Questions Summary. You can use this document to help prepare, organize, and draft your responses. Before you apply, please review the information on this site.

New! Pre-approved City Parks

Are you interested in creating a pollinator garden in a City Park? If so, your garden must be located in a pre-approved City park. Projects and/or garden locations proposed in City parks not on the list will not be considered.

See the PollinateTO Pre-approved City Parks in a List or a Map.

Get to know Goldenrod

Goldenrod is one of our required PollinateTO plants (the other is milkweed). Learn why we want goldenrod in every PollinateTO garden with the Get to know Goldenrod brochure – includes photos of the goldenrod species to help you choose a species that’s right for your garden. And no, goldenrod doesn’t cause allergies (that’s ragweed).

PollinateTO advances the principles and priorities of the City’s Pollinator Protection Strategy.

Why are pollinators important?

Toronto is home to a wide range of pollinators, including 364 species of bees and 112 species of butterflies. These insects provide important ecosystem services such as pollination, are an important source of food for birds, and contribute to the biodiversity in our city. Pollination is what allows plants to produce seeds, fruits, and new plants. This is essential for food production and creating o­ur natural landscapes.

Why should we be concerned about pollinators?

Pollinators are under increasing stress due to habitat loss, invasive species, diseases, pesticides and climate change. Studies have shown that some species are in drastic decline, including the endangered Monarch butterfly and several species of bumblebees including the Rusty-patched bumblebee.

How can we help Toronto’s pollinators?

The easiest and most effective way to help native pollinators is to plant native plants. By planting native plants, you will be providing much-needed habitat that native pollinators need to survive. Native plants provide pollen and nectar for food, as well as places to nest and overwinter. Pollinator habitat can be created almost anywhere – in parks, yards, apartment buildings, schools, faith centres, community gardens and more.

What is pollinator habitat?

Pollinator habitat includes the following:

• food sources – such as pollen and nectar from native plants
• nesting and overwintering sites – such as bare soil, hollow stems, and leaves
• larval host plants – such as milkweed for Monarchs

Ideal pollinator habitat features native plants that are locally-grown and pesticide-free.

What are native plants?

Plants that existed in our ecoregion prior to European colonization are considered native. Toronto is located where the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Forest Region and the Carolinian Zone meet. Native pollinators have coevolved with native plants for over 100 million years and depend on each other for survival.

Please submit an online application that describes your project proposal.

Application deadline is November 1, 2021.

Preview questions and draft your responses

To preview all the questions before you begin your application, download the PollinateTO Application Questions Summary. You can use this document to help prepare, organize, and draft your responses. Before you apply, please review the information on this site.

Ready to apply?

Submit your application using the online PollinateTO Application Form.

PollinateTO is open to all resident-led groups and non-profit groups. Groups must have at least three residents of Toronto (from separate households) as part of the group.

Eligible applicants

• resident, tenant and neighbourhood groups
• community groups and organizations
• school groups, student clubs and parent councils
• indigenous groups
• faith groups
• business improvement areas (BIAs)
• registered charitable organizations and not-for-profit organizations
• not-for-profit organizations with offices outside of Toronto are eligible to apply if the proposed garden is located within a Neighbourhood Improvement Area (NIA)

Ineligible applicants

• individuals (must be part of a group with at least three members living in separate households)
• for-profit businesses
• building and property managers
• grant making organizations
• organizations allied with political parties

COVID-19 guidance for group gardening

Toronto Public Health has created guidelines for gardening during COVID-19. It recommended that anyone participating in group gardening activities adhere to these guidelines.

PollinateTO supports projects that create pollinator habitat in all Toronto neighbourhoods. Priority will be given to gardens located in Toronto’s Neighbourhood Improvement Areas (NIAs).

Eligible projects

Examples of eligible projects include:

• shared community gardens
• school ground teaching gardens
• Indigenous education gardens
• rain gardens
• multiple front-yard gardens on the same street that together create a “pollinator pathway”

Ineligible projects

Examples of projects the City will NOT fund include:

• projects that are already fully complete
• temporary projects not intended to last beyond one growing season
• projects that are not visible to the public, such as private backyard gardens
• beekeeping activities, education or promotion
• gardens used for the sole purpose of urban agriculture
• balcony gardens and container gardens
• rooftop gardens (funding is available for green roofs via the Eco-Roof Incentive Program)

Garden locations

PollinateTO funds gardens on private land and public space. Your project proposal can include multiple garden locations at one or more sites (i.e. different addresses). Your proposal can also have one or more garden locations a single site/address (i.e. separate garden beds on different parts of the site/property).

When selecting your garden location(s), please consider the following requirements and approval process for each type of location.

Private property:

1. Must have written permission from the property owner(s) for each of the proposed gardens in your project – use our Property Owner Permission Letter template.
2. Must be visible to the public (for example, front yard gardens = yes, backyard gardens = no).
   1. For front gardens on residential streets, you must have three or more front yard gardens on the same street to create a “pollinator pathway”.
   2. Examples of private property include residential, commercial, post-secondary institutions, faith and spiritual centres, non-profit organizations, etc.

School grounds:

1. Form a group that has teacher, administration, and student representation.
   1. Ensure that your project has a teaching and learning component (connects to the curriculum).
   2. Have approval from the Principal. Please confirm their support by using the Property Owner Permission Letter template.
2. Use the PollinateTO application form to express your interest in creating a PollinateTO project at a specific school.
   1. You do not need to provide details about your garden plans at the application stage, as specific garden location, size and type will be determined in consultation with School Board, upon conditional approval.
3. Must have a maintenance plan in place. Please use our Garden Maintenance Plan template.
   1. Ensure there is succession plan – if some key members leave your group, others can fill in.
4. Approval process:
   1. PollinateTO staff will work with School Board staff to review your application and determine if the school you have proposed is suitable for a PollinateTO project.
   2. If your proposal is conditionally approved, your group will work directly with School Board staff to determine garden location, size and type.
   3. A site visit may be conducted as part of the approval process.

City park:

1. Must be located in a pre-approved City park – See the Pre-approved City Parks List (pdf) or view the Pre-Approved City Parks map. Projects and/or garden locations proposed in City parks not on this list will not be considered.
   1. You do not need to submit a property owner permission letter, since these sites have been pre-approved.
   2. Use the PollinateTO application form to express your interest in creating a PollinateTO project in a specific pre-approved City park.
   3. Please do not directly contact the Park Supervisor at the application stage. If conditionally approved, your group will be connected with the appropriate Parks staff.
   4. Pollinator plantings requested by existing approved community gardens, may not extend or increase the space allocated to the community garden. Plantings must be made within the existing footprint of the garden.
   5. Requests for pollinator plantings in allotments may be made by the permit holder only and must meet requirements of their permit, conditions of use and the allotment garden policy.
2. Must have a maintenance plan in place. Please use our Garden Maintenance Plan template.
   1. Ensure there is succession plan – if some key members leave group, others can fill in.
   2. Groups must have a plan for storage of equipment and tools.  Tools and materials may not be stored on-site.
3. Approval process:
   1. Only project proposals located in a PollinateTO Pre-approved City Park (pdf) will be considered.
   2. If your proposal is conditionally approved, your group will work directly with the Parks staff to determine garden location, size and type.
   3. Locations may include existing beds due to space and usage constraints.
   4. The Park Supervisor will identify the support they can provide (such as yard waste removal frequency, water and watering tools).
   5. A site visit may be conducted as part of the approval process.

City boulevard:

1. Confirm adjacent property owners are on board. Please include their support in your application – use our Property Owner Permission Letter template.
   1. Traffic island locations and sloped (more than 2 degrees) locations are not suitable for a PollinateTO project.
   2. Plant height restrictions – to preserve sight lines for safety between pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles, all proposed boulevard planting must have a mature potential growing height lower than 85cm measured from the road elevation. Therefore with a typical 15cm street curb height, the maximum potential growth height of plants in the boulevard would be 70cm.
   3. Plant species selection – select species tolerant of salt-spray.
   4. Please be aware that planting could be removed at any time in the future by the City or third party (e.g. utility company) without further compensation or replacements.
2. Must have a maintenance plan in place. Please use our Garden Maintenance Plan template.
   1. Ensure there is succession plan – if some key members leave group, others can fill in.
3. Approval process:
   1. City staff will review your application and determine if the boulevard location you have proposed is suitable for a PollinateTO garden.
   2. Please try to provide as much detail as possible regarding your proposed location(s), including a map of the area with your proposed planting sites clearly identified.
   3. A site visit may be conducted as part of the approval process.

Call before you dig

For approved PollinateTO gardens – you must “call before you dig”. This process will identify any underground infrastructure in the area you want to build your garden. Ontario One Call provides a locate request process that is free, reliable, timely and easy to use. You can make the request online.

PollinateTO garden requirements:

• must contain a minimum of twelve perennial plants (can be a combination of flowers, trees and shrubs)
• at least 75 per cent of plants must be native perennial species
• at least one type of native goldenrod species must be used
• at least two different types of larval host plants must be used, one of which must be milkweed
• plants must provide continuous bloom:
  • at least 2 species that bloom in the spring
  • at least 2 species that bloom in the summer
  • at least 2 species that bloom in the fall
• no invasive plant species may be used – see the list of prohibited plants in Toronto
• must select plants based on site conditions (e.g. full sun/partial sun/shade, wet/dry, etc)
• must have ongoing maintenance (watering, weeding, plant replacement, etc)

You can use the Proposed Plant List template to help you organize your plant choices.

See our list of native flowers, trees and shrubs in the section below.

Required plants:

Gardens must include at least one species of goldenrod and at least one species of milkweed.

Goldenrod (Solidago) 

A hardy native plant with many different species adapted to a wide range of growing conditions, there’s a goldenrod that’s right for every garden. To set the record straight: goldenrod does not cause hay fever. Ragweed, in bloom at the same time, is the hay fever culprit. Goldenrod is insect-pollinated. It has heavy, sticky pollen that doesn’t fly on the wind, so adding goldenrod to your garden will not cause discomfort to hay fever sufferers.

More facts about goldenrod:

• There are more than 25 species of goldenrod native to Ontario.
• Goldenrod supports more than 100 species of moths and butterflies in their larval stage.
• More than 35 species of bees are specialist feeders on goldenrod pollen.
• Goldenrod blooms in late summer into the fall, and its nectar is an important late-season food source for pollinators.

Here are a few goldenrod species to consider for your garden that are easy to grow, drought tolerant and easy to find:

Get to know Goldenrod brochure – includes photos of the goldenrod species mentioned here.

Milkweed (Asclepias)

Milkweed is the larval host plant for the endangered Monarch butterfly. Monarchs will only lay their eggs on milkweed leaves, which is the sole food source for caterpillars. Without milkweed, there would be no Monarchs.

More facts about milkweek:

• There are 14 species of milkweed in Canada.
• There was a time in Ontario that milkweed was on the noxious weed list, which meant it could not be planted.
• In 2014, milkweed was removed from Ontario’s noxious weed list and since then many gardeners have embraced milkweed in their garden.

Here are a few suggestions for milkweed species to consider for your garden and one non-native milkweed species to avoid.

Learn more and see photos of these milkweed species.

Funding can only be used for the direct delivery of the proposed project.

Download this information here –PollinateTO Eligible Expenses.

What the City will fund

Examples of fundable budget line items:

• Plant material – seeds, seedlings
• Soil, compost, peat, mulch, sand, etc
• Tools – shovels, rakes, forks, cultivators, hoes, spades, pruners, hand tools, etc
• Garden gloves, knee pads and kneelers
• Irrigation supplies – hose, nozzles, wands, rain barrels, watering cans
• Wheelbarrows and garden carts
• Garden border materials and supplies – wood, logs, stones, pavers, rocks, etc
• Porous pathway materials – stepping stones, gravel, wood chips
• Seed starting materials – trays, pots, soil, markers (greenhouses are not eligible)
• Plant supports – stakes, rings, poles, ties, string, twine
• Sheet mulching materials – cardboard, newspapers, leaves, compost/soil
• Rain garden materials and construction supplies (sand, compost, mulch, riverstone, pea gravel, limestone, pvc piping) – if constructing a rain garden
• Raised beds – materials and supplies
• Plant identification markers and tags
• Signage – design, printing, installation
• Outdoor storage – weather resistant bins, small shed, lock
• Yard waste bags
• Equipment rentals (no gas powered equipment)
• Permit fees, space rental, liability insurance for your event/activity
• Delivery fees for plant material and supplies (max $100 per delivery)
• Volunteer recognition, volunteer food expenses
• Food and refreshments (no bottled water) for participants during planting activity (max $200 per event)
• Training and workshop expenses
• Honorarium for speakers/facilitators (max $500 per person, per event)
• Honorarium for group members (up to $500 per group)
• Communications and promotion (e.g. flyers, posters, design, printing)
• Interpretation and translation fees
• Art supplies
• Solitary bee nest building supplies (bee condos, bee hotels, etc)
• Books – reference, gardening, flora and fauna identification guides
• Public transportation costs for project participants
• Labour costs to prepare the area and plant the garden, if required (up to 10% of the grant amount)
• Removing asphalt, concrete or other hard surfaces, if required (up to 10% of the grant amount)
• Consultant fees such as a landscape designer, rain garden expert, etc (up to 10% of the grant amount)
• Staffing costs for organizing project (up to 10% of the grant amount)
• Trustee administration fees (up to 10% of the grant amount)
• Other expenses on a case-by-case basis (please check with City staff prior to purchasing)

What the City will not fund

Examples of budget line items that are not fundable:

• Costs associated with the regular operation of your organization, current programs and services such as office rental, utilities, computer equipment, phones, fax, internet, accounting services, insurance, etc.
• Mass market advertising campaigns
• Award ceremonies, banquets, receptions,  annual general meetings, sport tournaments
• Religious activities/services, political activities, fundraising events, donations to charitable causes, lobbying or advocacy on behalf of for-profit entities
• Alcohol
• Bottled water
• Gas and gas powered tools and equipment
• Land acquisition, lease or rental
• Purchase or rental of media equipment (computers, laptops, or software)
• Purchase or rental of vehicles, personal vehicle expenses and parking
• Postage and shipping costs
• Disbursement of funds to provide additional grants to other parties
• Conference registration and travel fees
• TTC monthly passes
• Reserve funds, debt repayment, deficit funding, capital costs (i.e. building repairs, renovations, water service, etc)
• Fencing, gates, wire mesh
• Armour stone
• Garden furniture – plastic patio sets, umbrellas
• Greenhouses
• Barbeques, cooking equipment
• Chemical fertilizers
• Vermiculture supplies (worm composters)
• Mushroom logs
• Container gardening planters and supplies, including canoes
• Beekeeping supplies, hives, honey bees
• Water fountain or water connection service
• Pesticides
• Activities that extend beyond Toronto’s borders
• Costs to maintain activities beyond the funding term, ongoing garden maintenance

Key dates

Please note: Timelines are subject to change

Key steps

Step 1: Form your group & partner with others

Create your own group or join one that is already established in your community. Partner with others who can support your idea.

To be eligible, groups must include at least three Toronto residents residing in separate households.

Decide on a name for your Group. Select a Group Lead to be the main contact.

Step 2: Pick your garden location & get approval

Make a list of potential garden locations in your neighbourhood. Choose garden sites that are visible to the public, have access to water and are easy for your group to get to (walking distance is ideal). Your project may include multiple locations. Priority will be given to projects located in Toronto’s Neighbourhood Improvement Areas (NIAs).

Use the Permission Letter template (Word doc) for these locations:

• Private property – Approval from the property owner is required.
• School grounds – You must obtain support from the principal.
• City boulevard – Obtain the support of the adjacent property owner.

For City park locations – please select from the PollinateTO Pre-approved City Parks List (pdf). These sites have been pre-approved so you do not need to submit a property owner permission letter.

Step 3: Create a project plan & estimated budget

Decide on a name for your Project (this is different from your Group name).

Create a community engagement and education plan – think about the best ways to involve the community in your project.

Put together an estimated budget of $1,000 to $5,000. See the Eligible Project Costs section for guidance. Please use the Budget template (Excel doc) provided.

Step 4: Complete the online application & submit supporting documents

You must apply using the online application form before the deadline.

The following documents are required to evaluate your proposal:

1. Property owner permission. Not required for projects in pre-approved City parks. For private property, school ground projects, and City boulevards – please use the Property Owner Permission Letter template (Word doc).
2. Photograph or Google Maps image of the proposed project site(s). Again, this is not required for projects in pre-approved City parks. For all other locations, please clearly label the area(s) you want to plant in.
3. Proposed Plant list – showing proposed species and number of plants. Use the Proposed Plant List template (Word doc).
4. Garden Maintenance plan – a description of how the garden(s) will be cared for and who is responsible for the long term success of the project. Use the Garden Maintenance Plan template (Word doc).
5. Proposed Budget – an estimated list of the costs to deliver your project. Use the Proposed Budget template (Excel doc).

Step 5: Application review & project approval

The PollinateTO Team will review your application to ensure eligibility requirements are met. Applications must be complete and received by the deadline to be eligible.

A Review Committee will evaluate all eligible proposals.

Successful applicants will receive a conditional approval letter via email and details about next steps.

Step 6: Online orientation session

Successful applicants will attend an online information session to learn more about the next steps.

Step 7: Funding agreement drafted & signed

In order to release the grant funding award, your organization or Trustee must enter into a funding agreement with the City of Toronto. The funding agreement outlines roles, payments, reporting requirements and other conditions of the grant.

A funding agreement will be drafted and sent to your organization or Trustee to be signed. Upon returning the signed agreement, the City signature will be added and the first installment of your funding award (approximately 90 percent) will be processed.

Step 8: Start your project

Most (approximately 90 per cent) of the funding will be provided in advance to get you started. The remainder of the funding (up to approximately 10 per cent for which documentation is provided) will be provided upon proof of completion.

Your group has until December 2022 to complete your project.

Step 9: Complete your project

Please notify the PollinateTO Program Manager when your project is complete. A site visit may be requested.

Your group will be responsible for submitting the following:

• Impact report: Tell us about your project! Please include photos of your completed project, testimonials or other items to show the impact of your project and evidence of completion. A template will be provided.
• Expense summary: Your organization or trustee will report the actual costs of your project with supporting receipts and invoices.
• Video: Please create a short video (one to two minutes) of your completed project and tell us what you accomplished. We’ll post your video online to share your story and inspire others.
• Site Visit: Please schedule a site visit with the PollinateTO Program Manager

Note: You do not need to identify a trustee at the application stage.

Successful grant recipients that do not have official not-for-profit status must work with a trustee organization to receive funding.

What is a trustee organization?

A trustee is an incorporated not-for-profit organization with audited financial statements and the financial systems in place to administer your group’s grant funds.

A trustee will distribute the funding according to the approved project budget. Trustees can also provide additional support to funded groups, such as project management, training and mentorship.

Who can be a trustee organization?

Trustee organizations must meet all of the following eligibility criteria and be approved by City staff to act as your trustee:

• Be an incorporated not-for-profit organization with recent audited financial statements;
• Demonstrate effective management and administrative capacity;
• Be based in the city of Toronto (this means the organization’s head office must be located in Toronto and a majority of their programs and services take place in Toronto);
• Be accountable to the community it serves through an elected Board of Directors or executive and must represent the community it serves;
• 50% or more of Board members reside in the City of Toronto, or 50% or more of the organization budget is allocated to Toronto;
• Have existed for at least one year;
• Be in good standing with the City of Toronto (be up to date on all requirements for any City funds the organization may have received in the past);
• Collaborate with other service providers and community groups;
• Demonstrate a clear separation between religious and community service functions (if religious activities are provided by the organization);
• Comply with the City of Toronto Anti-racism, Access and Equity Policy;
• Have a service mandate related to the funded project;
• Agree to take responsibility for the management of financial and project activities proposed by the applicant organization; and
• Report on the use of grant funds to the City and maintain documentation for audit purposes.

What are the roles and expectations of the trustee?

The trustee organization:

• Holds financial authority and a position of trust and responsibility for the project grant funds;
• The trustee provides support and guidance to the grant recipient’s project leadership throughout the project;
• Maintains proper fiscal oversight including using their existing financial systems and policies when dispersing the grant funds to your group (i.e. petty cash disbursements, honoraria, invoice payment, expense reimbursements etc.);
• Has overall legal responsibility for the grant funds;
• Provides assurance that all funding received will be spent only for the purposes outlined in the trustee agreement according to the approved project budget;
• Acts as the project’s financial and administrative manager for the duration of your project;
• Ensures compliance with accountability and legislative requirements; and
• Signs the funding agreement issued by the City with the grant recipient group. The funding agreement outlines the terms and conditions of the grant funding.

The trustee organization should not:

• Determine or heavily influence the creation of the project;
• Take on the role of a group member or project manager

A Review Committee will review applications and recommend funding using the following process:

1. Applications will be reviewed by City staff to ensure that your group and project are eligible.
2. Complete applications that meet the eligibility requirements will be evaluated by a Review Committee comprised of representatives of various City of Toronto divisions. In the case of proposals on school grounds, City staff will engage School Board as part of the review process. The review is a detailed evaluation of the proposals, including identification of irregularities and/or missing information as well as the feasibility of the proposed project. Priority will be given to projects located Toronto’s 31 Neighbourhood Improvement Areas.
3. The Review Committee will make funding recommendations to the Director, Environment and Energy Division based on their assessment of the following elements of each application:
   1. organizational history and track record
   2. proposal’s ability to meet the goals and objectives of the program
   3. organizational readiness to undertake the proposed work
   4. likelihood of generating measurable results and likelihood of success;
   5. long-term sustainability of the project
   6. use of strategies and tools to engage and educate the community, including new audiences who have not been targeted by previous initiatives.

Here are some native flowering plants organized by season to help you provide a continuous source of food for pollinators. We’ve also indicated growing conditions in sun or shade and whether it’s a larval host plant.

Spring:

Summer:

Fall:

Trees and Shrubs

Native trees and shrubs offer benefits to pollinators too. Here are a few to consider based on size and moist soil conditions (see rain garden species).

Large species:

• Black Oak (Quercus velutina)
• Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)
• Basswood (Tilia Americana)
• Eastern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis)

Small to medium species:

• Serviceberry (Amelanchier species)
• Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
• Purple Flowering Raspberry (Rubus odoratus)
• Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago)
• Bush Honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera)
• Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus)
• Common ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)
• Red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea)
• Common elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)
• Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)

Rain garden species:

• Meadowsweet (Spirea alba)
• Pussy Willow (Salix discolor)
• Grey dogwood (Cornus racemosa)

More native species profiles:

• Ontario Tree Atlas
• Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests (LEAF).

Download this information here – PollinateTO_Best Practices for Creating Pollinator Habitat

Your group should consider the following best practices when designing pollinator habitat.

Please note: These are best practices only – not mandatory project requirements.

Best practices for creating pollinator habitat

Use this checklist to help you create or enhance pollinator-friendly habitat in your community.

1. Provide food sources

Plant native: Choose native plants, trees and shrubs rich in pollen and nectar. Locally grown and pesticide free are best.

• At least 75% of plants are native species
• At least one species of goldenrod must be used
• If using non-native plants, invasive species are to be avoided

Plant host plants: Butterflies lay their eggs on specific plants. Monarch butterflies, for example, will only lay their eggs on milkweed, the sole food source for their larva.

• Incorporate at least 2 different types of larval host plants
• At least one species of native milkweed is to be included

Provide continuous bloom: Pollinators need a continuous source of food from spring to fall. Select a variety of plants with a range of bloom times.

• At least 2 different plants that bloom in spring
• At least 2 different plants that bloom in summer
• At least 2 different plants that bloom in fall

Mass plantings: Planting multiples of the same plant together in large groupings makes it easier for pollinators to find and collect pollen and nectar.

• Plants are planted in groups of 3 or more (at least 3 plants per species)

Plant single bloom varieties: The petals of double or triple bloom varieties can block access to pollen and nectar.

• Single bloom varieties only

Avoid nativars (native cultivars): These are named varieties and not the true native species. Studies have shown that many nativars are less beneficial (e.g. contain less pollen) than the true native species.

• Try to avoid using nativars and stick to the true native species (if possible)

2. Provide nesting sites

Bare ground: Many native bees build nests in soil, so leave some bare patches and limit your use of mulch.

• Limited use of mulch – if you must use mulch only use at base of plant with areas of open bare soil provided
• When using mulch opt for hay or straw mulch, which is a better alternative to wood chips.

Choose plants with hollow or pithy stems: Some cavity nesting bees use hollow or pithy stems to lay their eggs.

Hollow-stemmed plants:

• Cup Plant
• Sunflowers
• Goldenrod
• Echinacea
• Spotted Joe Pye Weed
• Swamp Milkweed
• Wild Bergamot

Pithy-stemmed plants:

• Elderberry
• Raspberry
• Rose
• Sumac

3. Provide water

Offer a drink: Pollinators need water. Add rocks for perch points to a birdbath or shallow dish of water to help bees and butterflies quench their thirst.

• Water source provided or nearby (does not have to be directly in the garden)

4. Provide sun

Create sunny spots: Butterflies like to bask in the sun.

• Place flat rocks in sunny, sheltered spots

5. Provide a chemical free zone

Avoid pesticides: Don’t spray pesticides or insecticides, especially neonicotinoids. Ontario has a Pesticide Ban that prohibits the cosmetic use of pesticides.

• Pesticides will not be used on site at any time

6. Be mindful about maintenance

Leave dead stems: Bundles of sticks and stems that are put out for yard waste collection too early in spring will often contain overwintering bees.

• Bottom 8 inches of dead stems are left in place
• Cut stems are bundled and left in garden.
• Wait until the temperature is consistently above 10 degree Celsius (April or May) before you remove dead stems.

Dead wood: Large branches and decaying logs can be kept in a sunny spot to provide additional shelter, resting sites for birds and nesting locations for bees and other wildlife.

• Dead branches or logs are incorporated in garden

Leaves: Leave the leaves where they fall or rake them into your garden to provide overwintering habitat for butterflies. Leaves can be removed in late spring, after overwintering adult butterflies are gone, or left in the garden to decompose.

• Leaves are raked into garden in the fall

Avoid tilling: Keep large patches of land unmown and untilled to provide secure and undisturbed nesting sites for ground-nesting bees.

• Ground is not tilled

Prevent the spread of invasive plants: Monitor your garden for invasive plants and remove them when detected. For example, the invasive dog-strangling vine has a negative impact on Monarchs – female butterflies mistakenly lay their eggs on it since it’s in the milkweed family, instead of native milkweeds, causing their larvae to starve.

• Invasive species are removed or reported when detected (Call the Province of Ontario at 1-800-563-7711).

Plant material is replaced: Monitor garden regularly for dead plants and replace accordingly in order to ensure healthy plant diversity.

• Plant material that does not survive is replaced as required.

7. Spread the word

Tell your friends and neighbours: Help spread the word about what pollinators need by sharing your experience with others. Let them know how they can create or enhance pollinator habitat on their property.

• Each project participant shares with one other person

Offer tours of your garden: Inspire others to create pollinator gardens by showcasing yours. Identify plants and offer tips for success.

• Annual garden tour offered (upon request)

Install signage provided: Identify your garden as pollinator-friendly. Create your own sign or use the PollinateTO sign.

• Signage installed

Download this information here – PollinateTO_Best Practices for Pollinator Education

Educational messaging should align with the guiding principles and priorities of the City’s Pollinator Protection Strategy. The following are best practices for designing a pollinator educational initiative funded by PollinateTO.

1. Incorporate the following key messages:

• Toronto is home to a wide range of pollinators, including bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, moths, beetles, and birds.
• Threats to Toronto’s pollinators include forage habitat loss, loss of larval host plants, nesting habitat loss, overwintering habitat loss, pesticides, introduced and invasive species (including honey bees), diseases/pests, and climate change.
• Habitat loss is the greatest threat to pollinators. Habitat protection, creation and enhancement is key to supporting Toronto’s pollinators.

2. Raise awareness about the differences between native bees and non-native honey bees

• Toronto’s diverse bee community consists of over 360 species of native bees and one species of managed bee, the European Honey Bee, which is not native to North America.
• Native bees are primarily solitary, don’t make honey, live underground or cavities, come in a wide range of colours and sizes.
• Honey bees are not native to North America, managed by beekeepers, and they can be re-established when beekeepers experience a loss.
• Native bee species are more threatened than honey bees.
• Mention that Toronto has an Official Bee – Agapostemon virescens.

3. Discuss alternatives to beekeeping

• Many well-meaning individuals may wish to pursue hobby beekeeping in the belief that this is how they can help pollinators. Adding more honey bee colonies to the city without the habitat to support them, adds to the problem.
• Evidence suggests that native bees may be negatively impacted by urban beekeeping activities. Studies have shown that honey bees may act as an additional stressor on native bees, due to competition for food and the spread of diseases and pests. One honey bee colony can potentially out-compete thousands of native bees for food.
• Establishing a pollinator garden, or adding pollinator-friendly plants to an existing garden is a much more significant way to help pollinators, including honey bees.

4. How can we help? Pollinators need:

• Foraging resources – native flowering plants rich in pollen and nectar
• Larval host plants – butterflies can only lay their eggs on specific plants (eg. monarch and milkweed)
• Places to nest and overwinter – bare sandy soil, hollow stems, dead wood, leaf litter, etc
• A chemical free environment – insecticides (especially neonicotinoids) are the most harmful. Toronto’s Pesticide Ban has been in place since 2003.

5. Acknowledge funding support from the City of Toronto

• On your website, direct participants to www.livegreentoronto.ca for more resources.
• On all project-related communications and marketing materials, including garden signage, posters, brochures, signage, your newsletter, presentations, videos, etc.
• At project-related events

Community Engagement and Education Ideas

How will your project educate and engage the community? Some ideas you might consider:

• offering demonstrations, workshops, or garden tours
• installing informative signage, plant labels or interpretive art
• inviting the community to participate in planting, maintenance, and celebratory activities
• engaging users of the green space (youth, teachers, seniors, families and others) to participate in planning, implementing and/or maintaining your project
• developing an online tool, webinar or instructional video
• creating toolkits, how-to guides, lesson plans, and/or teaching activities
• collecting seeds, sharing plants and/or helping others start their own garden
• participating in citizen science projects and community research

Templates for application process

Please use these templates to organize your project and submit with your online application:

• Property Owner Permission Letter (Word doc) – Not required for projects in Pre-approved City Parks (pdf)
• Proposed Plant List (Word doc)
• Garden Maintenance Plan (Word doc)
• Proposed Budget (Excel doc)
• Garden Locations Summary – use for 6 or more gardens only (Word doc)

How to submit documents:

Upload the documents via the online application form or send by email to pollinateTO@toronto.ca – Please include your Group Name & Project Name in the subject line.

PollinateTO Pre-approved City Parks

See a List or a Map.

Resources

City of Toronto Biodiversity Series:

• Bees of Toronto
• Butterflies of Toronto

Pollinator Partnership Canada:

• Pollinator Steward Certification
• Planting Guides for your Ecoregion
• Your School and Pollinators
• The Bee Smart School Garden and Curriculum Kit
• Kids activities
• No fear of stings

Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA):

• Gardening for bees factsheet
• Butterfly gardens factsheet
• Guides to help community groups and gardeners create and maintain habitat

Pollination Guelph:

• All resources
• Suggestions for a Pollinator-Friendly Garden
• Plants that Attract Pollinators
• Example Full-Sun Pollinator Garden
• Putting Your Garden to Bed the Pollinator-Friendly Way
• Spring Clean-Up for Your Garden
• Considerations for Buying Managed Bees

David Suzuki Foundation:

• A starter guide to creating a butterfly way through your neighbourhood

Canadian Wildlife Federation:

• Canadian Wildlife Federation Garden Certification
• Gardening for Pollinators
• Gardening for Butterflies – includes list of larval host plants
• Native Plant Encyclopedia

Carolinian Canada:

• Native Butterfly Host and Nectar Plants

North American Native Plant Society:

• How to Start Gardening with Native Plants
• Native Plant Database
• Photo Album

Rain gardens:

• A complete guide to building and maintaining a rain garden
• Book a free consultation with a rain garden expert from RAINscapeTO.

Where to find native plants:

• North American Native Plant Society Plant Sales
• North American Native Plant Society verified commercial growers (scroll down to the Ontario section)
• Seedy Saturdays and Sundays
• High Park Plant Sale
• Canadian Wildlife Federation’s Native Plant Suppliers List – Ontario
• Ask your local garden centre if they have a native plant section

Videos

Forms – For groups that have been approved for a PollinateTO grant.

There are two acknowledgement forms that must be completed. These forms can sent via email to pollinateTO@toronto.ca.

City of Toronto Acknowledgement Forms for PollinateTO – this document contains the following mandatory forms:

1. An Acknowledgement of Political Activity – this tells us that you will follow City policies for political activity. Please review the Guide to Political Activities for City-funded Community Groups before signing.
2. Declaration of Compliance with Anti-Harassment/Discrimination Legislation & City Policy – this says you will follow City policies. All City funded groups must agree to the declaration before grant funds can be released.

These are the forms you will need when you spend money:

• Payment Receipt / Honorarium Form – This form is like a receipt. You would use it when you pay someone for a service or a product, and don’t get a receipt. You can also use this form for honorarium payments.
• Receipts for Tokens / Presto Tickets or Gift Cards Form – This form tracks tokens, Presto Tickets (one ride) and gift cards given out.
• Any other forms your trustee may require

Round 1 – 2019/2020

Thirty-five applications were selected to receive funding from among 151 applications submitted. Approved projects include community faith gardens, Indigenous education gardens, residential rain gardens, schoolyard teaching gardens, and multiple front-yard gardens on residential streets (which serve as pollinator pathways).

In total, over 115 gardens and almost 9,000 square metres of pollinator habitat will be created through these projects.

Congratulations to the groups listed below!

Round 2 – 2020/2021

Thirty-three applications were selected to receive funding to create pollinator gardens in their communities, including 12 located in Toronto’s Neighbourhood Improvement Areas.

In total, over 60 gardens and 5,000 square metres of pollinator habitat will be created through these projects.

Congratulations to the groups listed below!