Pollinator Roadsides – Creating Habitat in the Waterloo Region

Imagine the roadsides of expressways being a meadow of native flowering plants instead of mown turf grass. Imagine the beauty and habitat for pollinators that this would create. The dream of the Pollinator Roadsides, a project of Waterloo Region Nature, is that this will become the normal practice. These roadside areas constitute potential important pollinator corridors through cities and across Ontario. The goal is to promote the planting of roadsides with pollinator-friendly native plants to beautify them and recreate habitat for native pollinators and other wildlife in the Region of Waterloo, and that this may become an example for other regions across the province.

Why Worry About Planting Native Plants for Pollinators?

Pollinators (for example butterflies, bees, moths, flies and birds) have decreased alarmingly in recent decades . One of the main reasons is habitat loss, so recreating habitat for them is imperative.

For instance, it cuts down on mowing (only needed once every 2 or 3 years instead of about 4 times a year), which saves on gas usage and labour costs. Native perennials also have greater water retention, reduce the risk of flooding, improve air quality, increase biodiversity by creating valuable habitat for pollinators, and are drought resistance and attractive.

The Start of Pollinator Roadsides

Pollinator Roadsides is a community-led venture, initiated by Jennifer Leat in November 2022. In consultation with the Region of Waterloo, the Pollinator Roadsides working group decided to undertake a pilot planting and obtained a Region of Waterloo Community Environmental Grant in 2023. The working group chose a suitable site, created a list of native plants, devised a plan for a pilot study of three different preparation techniques, created a Facebook page and logo, obtained sponsorships with local companies for materials and plants, and brought together a group of volunteers from Waterloo Region Nature, Waterloo Gardeners and through social media.

Site and Pilot Study

This project took place along Fischer-Hallman Road in Kitchener. During fall and winter 2023, volunteers saved seeds and raised plants from them using winter sowing.

The team then envisaged a pilot study of three different preparation methods:

1. Preparation with paper covered with sand and compost.
2. Preparation with horticultural vinegar, an environmentally friendly preparation method.
3. Seeding and planting directly among the existing vegetation.

Work Parties

On a cold Saturday in April, 25 volunteers joined the first work party. They moved four large piles of sand and one pile of compost that had been delivered the week before, spreading it over one of the pilot areas. Then they sowed the seeds, which were already cold stratified.

The second working party was in June when 22 volunteers braved the windy weather to plant plugs, seedlings and larger plants. Some plants had been purchased from the grant, but many were grown through the winter or donated from the volunteer’s own native gardens. After organising the plants into sizes and dividing them between the three pilot areas, they started planting, to turn an ordinary roadside into a meadow of native plants. They estimate that they planted between 1,500 and 2,000 plants that day.

Project Outcomes

The trials will determine which of the three site preparations results in the best plant growth. Ultimately, the Pollinator Roadsides team hopes that this information will be used by Waterloo Region to develop more roadside plantings and to encourage this practice in the Region whenever possible.

Get Involved

If you’re interested in getting involved or supporting this project, you can join the Pollinator Roadsides Waterloo Region Facebook page. If you live in the Kitchener-Waterloo area, Pollinator Roadsides is always looking for volunteers to help. More planting may be needed in the fall and there may be similar projects in the future. If you live elsewhere in Ontario, you could consider starting a similar project or join local habitat recreation initiatives.

Jennifer Leat is a retired professor from the University of Waterloo. As well as leading Pollinator Roadsides, she is a keen birder and photographer, especially photographing wildlife. Her garden is designed to attract birds and other wildlife.