Canadian Wildlife Federation’s teams across the country are getting ready for a fruitful spring and summer in the field.

I can’t help but think about how our ground-breaking work is possible because of our wonderful supporters.

Thanks to them and our partners in government, hydro companies, conservation groups and municipalities across Canada, it won’t be long before the 1,760 hectares of meadow habitat we’ve restored in the past few years begins to bloom. These meadows will help to recover our dwindling pollinators, like the Monarch Butterfly. Just this past December, the Monarch Butterfly was categorized as Endangered by the federal government. CWF is committed to help recover the Monarch by working with hundreds of partners to restore its habitat.

A Triple Effect Formula

Anyone who has nurtured a plant will understand that it takes time and commitment to bring thriving meadows from thoughts and planning to existence. When we plant pollinator meadows, we monitor growth using the sleep, creep and leap formula.

Sleep: In the first year, freshly planted meadows ‘sleep’ creating roots, soaking up water and energy from the soil.
soil hand seedling water
Creep: In the second year, the meadows ‘creep’, growing up, reaching for the sun.
Leap: In the third year, dramatic change unfolds when the plants ‘leap’, expanding exponentially and flourishing naturally on their own.

By this time, the pollinators have taken notice, flocking to and feeding on the bountiful table on a hydro-corridor, a roadside ditch, or the edge of a farmer’s field.

That triple effect has a ripple effect that you are part of!

“Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is
dropped into water, the actions of individuals can
have far-reaching effects.” Dalai Lama

I’m excited for what the future holds. We’ve already restored those 1,760 hectares of meadow habitat; that’s equivalent to over 1,000 large city blocks, and in the next four years our goal is to restore 1,500 more hectares!

Our supporters give hundreds of thousands of native plants the opportunity to sleep, creep and leap their way in to the ecosystem, not only providing pollinators with much needed habitat, but helping Canadian conservation by providing nature-based solutions.

Helping At-risk Species Like Pollinators

Pollinators live perilous lives, and we must do everything we can do to help them continue to thrive so they can provide us with the food we eat, the medicine we need, and the beauty we crave.

Our dedicated supporters give us the tools and ingenuity we need to create positive relationships with partners across Canada. Supporters like the late Mr. Bruce Stailing. Mr. Stailing left CWF a legacy gift that for a limited time will allow Canadians to multiply their donations by three times! Our partnerships help investment in CWF spread like the native seeds we are planting.

The CWF team is dedicated to understanding how society has impacted biodiversity in Canada. With that in mind, our objective is to continue to make positive impacts in conservation today to ensure positive outcomes for future generations. I hope our supporters realize how much their dedication inspires everyone here at CWF to continue our ground-breaking work.

© Michelle Vala

Momentum is on our side, and the benefits of our supporters run deep, just like the plants will for our pollinators. It is a remarkable experience to see a roadside flourishing with native plants and the pollinators they attract. They are the ripple effect, and I look forward to writing again to let you know how much “leap” our supporters put into my team and the wildlife we are working hard to conserve.

I can see the ripples every day, from fellow Canadians who are coming together to be the champions for healthy wildlife and their habitats. Thank you — it’s through Canadians’ commitment that positive changes can and will continue.

A monarch is sitting with a adult caterpillar on a milkweed plant. This is the only plant the monarch will lay eggs on and the caterpillar will eat. This shows a flowering milkweed in mid to late summer. I raised the caterpillar and the butterfly from eggs. I release the butterflies in the wild once their wings are dry and they can fly.

Recovery of the Monarch Butterfly is within reach, provided we take an all-hands-on deck approach to recovery, which means many partners working together to restore meadow habitat. When we plant pollinator-friendly habitat, we create pathways for Monarchs and ALL pollinators. Nature is interconnected and when we help one, we help all. Thank you for being one of our partners and thank you for your commitment to wildlife conservation!