Beddington is Alberta’s 1st official BUTTERFLYWAY!

The David Suzuki Foundation (DSF) has been working with citizen groups in over 100 communities across the country (ten in Alberta) to create Butterflyways, “highways” of pollinator-friendly habitat for butterflies, bees and many other important insects. The foundation provides educational resources and support for its Rangers and participating communities.

Beddington resident David Mulders spearheaded the project in Beddington, with the support of the Reimagine Beddington Committee. David began mapping pollinator-friendly patches in our community, including private yards, gardens and balconies. “Our community came together during these uncertain times to beautify the streets and yards of Beddington, while helping local bees and butterflies thrive.”

The Beddington Butterflyway is the 10^th Butterflyway recognized by the David Suzuki Foundation since the project began in 2017.  “It has been truly inspiring to see what residents in Beddington have been able to accomplish this year,” said Jode Roberts, manager of the David Suzuki Foundation’s Butterflyway Project. “Ranger Dave and his team did a remarkable job of recruiting friends and neighbours to help transform their neighbourhood, one butterfly-friendly planting at a time.”

The Butterflyway includes 23 plantings in yards and gardens and 10 community planters, planted in collaboration with BHCA and The City of Calgary Parks Department. Hearty long-blooming flowers and grasses were selected to support the city’s hundreds of species of bee and butterfly throughout the spring and summer seasons.

The project received commendations from John McFaul, chair of The City of Calgary’s BiodiverCity Advisory Committee as a “perfect example of what communities can do to enhance the biodiversity of their neighbourhoods,” and a model that other neighbourhoods could adopt.

“We’re excited to see how the project continues to grow,” continued Mulders. “Creating a Butterflyway has been a great step towards re-imagining our neighbourhood as a greener, healthier and more vibrant place. We encourage other residents to join the fun by creating their own Butterflyways.”