Pollinator Protection

Pollinators are a crucial part of our ecosystems. Birds, bats, bees, butterflies, and beetles are needed for the reproduction of 90% of flowering plants and 35% of the global food supply. Bees are the world’s primary pollinators who contribute to plant diversity and crop pollination. Unfortunately, pollinator populations have seen a dramatic global decline. Nearly one in four native bee species is at an increased risk of extinction. The main threats to these populations include habitat destruction, pesticide use, and climate change.

In 2015, the Kahnawà:ke Environmental Protection Office created a butterfly and pollinator garden on Tekakwitha Island. The goal of this garden was to enhance the habitat for monarch butterflies on the island. Common milkweed, the only food source for monarchs, as well as a variety of other native flowers were planted.

In 2017, the pollinator garden was expanded to 2030m2. This garden has proven to be a much-needed pollinator habitat on a site that previously had low habitat diversity. 

With funding provided by Green Communities Canada, KEPO was able to create two pollinator gardens (each 20 m2).

The goal of the pollinator gardens are to support pollinator populations by providing new habitats and offering educational opportunities for youth. Both gardens are located in close proximity to local elementary schools, Kateri School and Karonhianónhnha Tsi Ionterihwaienstáhkhwa.

Once land use approval and soil tests were completed, we hired a local landscaper to prepare the sites and consulted with an expert in ecological planting for the plant selection.

In the fall of 2023, we planted a seed mix with the grade 3 and 4 classes from each school. We talked about the importance of pollinator habitat protection and the role that pollinators play in the cycles of life. We discussed the importance of native plants and sang seed songs while planting.

In the spring of 2024, plugs of native wildflowers were planted, including Swamp Milkweed, Pearly Everlasting, and Purple Echinacea, and additional seeds were spread throughout the gardens, including Wild Bergamot, Goldenrod, and Common Milkweed.  

Read more on the pollinator gardens from Green Communities Canada at  https://greencommunitiescanada.org/grade-3-and-4-students-plant-pollinator-gardens-in-the-community-of-kahnawake-near-montreal-quebec/ 

In 2022, KEPO started the No Mow May Challenge in Kahnawake. We challenged community members to avoid mowing their lawns for the entire month of May.

In early spring, pollinators are returning and are searching for food and shelter to make it through the first stages in their life cycle. Dandelions, clovers, and other common yard plants are the first food source for pollinators.  Letting native plants thrive for just one month can result in three times higher bee species richness and five times more bees than regularly mowed lawns.

Community members were asked to submit progress photos of their lawns and those who made it to the end were entered to win on of three garden-themed prizes.