Pollinator Habitats

We aim to become leaders in redesigning high-density urban landscapes into environmentally-conscious spaces that support ecological biodiversity through the creation of pollinator gardens.

Since 2021, TPUF team has been creating pollinator habitats by converting underutilized lawns and other neglected natural spaces at 53 Thorncliffe Park Drive located in the high-density Thorncliffe Park neighbourhood in Toronto. Urban areas often lack natural green spaces where pollinators like bees, butterflies, moths, wasps and other insects can thrive, which are critical for maintaining healthy ecosystems. We have done so by creating dense naturalistic garden spaces using native plants. Incorporating native plants is a critical step in designing such gardens as these plants not only provide food and shelter for the insects but also act as a host plant for an array of butterflies and moths that depend on these plants to raise their next generations.

High-density neighbourhoods like Thorncliffe Park with most people living in high-rise buildings, there are very limited green spaces or backyards, however, often there are patches of underutilized spaces with great potential to be “naturalized” and transformed into ecologically vibrant spaces that are aesthetically beautiful, support pollinators and other wildlife, sequester carbon, manage rainwater runoff and provide cooler environment in and around them. Areas that provide these “ecological services” are critical, especially in urban spaces where we are facing the negative impacts of declining ecological biodiversity due to urban sprawl, habitat loss, climate change, pollution and over population. Facing such realities, every piece of land is critical and should be contributing towards providing ecological services and mitigating the negative effects of climate change.

Our project demonstrates how cities can integrate nature into their urban designs, especially in high density communities often with limited green spaces and higher environmental inequality.

Help us redesign dead zones in and out of Thorncliffe Park to create rewarding pollinator habitats!

Any queries for pollinator garden projects can be emailed to tpurbanfarm@gmail.com. We do provide consulting services for projects around the city.