Where are the natural areas and gardens that support pollinators in this region?
Pollinators, like bees, butterflies, wasps, moths, beetles, birds, and bats enable the fruit to set in our gardens. About one out of every three bites of food exists because of their work. One native pollinator, like a leaf-cutter bee, can do the work of 20 non-native bees. Many populations of native bees (and honey bees) are declining precipitously because of parasites, habitat loss, insecticides, and climate change.
Why participate in this project?
1. Development and urbanization in the CRD: community mapping efforts, such as this one, can inform local government on the locations of (or lack thereof) of pollinator corridors and connected habitats in your neighbourhoods during the proposal of development projects in your neighbourhood.
2. Create opportunity for community-building: get to know the ins and outs of your neighbourhood by contributing to and exploring plotted pollinator locations on the Pollinator Map. Attend events and get together with neighbours and friends to submit pollinator locations.
3. Practice your species identification and learn about biodiversity in your backyard and nearby parks -- take time to connect with nature by becoming familiar with local plants, trees, and pollinators by participating in this initiative.
Help us map pollinator habitat (and places where habitat would be helpful) and pollinator species you see in the CRD!
See the campaigns 'Quadra Cedar Hill Mapping Project' or 'Gorge-Tillicum Pollinator Map' to add a pollinator site to the map.
Learn more in an article on pollinator mapping in Focus on Victoria by Maleea Acker
