{"id":16752,"date":"2026-05-13T19:04:18","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T19:04:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/?p=16752"},"modified":"2026-05-13T19:04:45","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T19:04:45","slug":"nature-based-education-in-spring-pollinators-and-plants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/en\/nature-based-education-in-spring-pollinators-and-plants\/","title":{"rendered":"Nature-based Education in Spring: Pollinators and Plants"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>&#x1f338; The Power of Pollination<\/h2>\n<p>Pollinators make it possible for many plants to reproduce by transferring pollen from one flower to another. In doing so, they support food webs, wildlife habitat, and the production of fruits and seeds that both people and animals rely on. Insects such as bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, and flies play especially important roles, along with birds and other pollinating animals.<\/p>\n<p>Yet pollinators are increasingly at risk. Habitat loss, shrinking green spaces, pesticide use, and reduced plant diversity all threaten pollinator populations. Helping students understand these challenges builds awareness \u2014 and creates opportunities to take meaningful action.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-16756\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/file-folder-en-640x484.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"484\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/file-folder-en-640x484.png 640w, https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/file-folder-en-1100x832.png 1100w, https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/file-folder-en-768x581.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/file-folder-en-1536x1162.png 1536w, https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/file-folder-en-530x401.png 530w, https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/file-folder-en.png 1706w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Teaching Resources<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/education.cwf-fcf.org\/library\/resources\/get\/286519\/Pollination%20Lesson%20Plan.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pollination Lesson Plan<\/a> \u2014 A clear, student\u2011friendly overview of how pollination works and why pollinators are essential to plant reproduction<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/education.cwf-fcf.org\/library\/resources\/get\/230903\/CWF%20Pollinator%20Problems.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pollinator Problems<\/a> \u2014 A resource that lists and describes the main challenges pollinators face today, including habitat loss, reduced plant diversity, and human impacts.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/education.cwf-fcf.org\/library\/resources\/get\/230001\/poster_pollinators_en.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wild About Pollinators poster<\/a> \u2014 A colourful visual reference to help students identify common pollinators and their roles within ecosystems<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/education.cwf-fcf.org\/library\/resources\/get\/230691\/CWF%20Pollination%20Puzzles.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pollinator Puzzles<\/a> \u2014 A resource where students can decipher clues to match <a href=\"https:\/\/education.cwf-fcf.org\/library\/resources\/get\/230687\/plant-and-pollinator-agent-cards.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">flower cards<\/a> with pollinator agents.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/education.cwf-fcf.org\/library\/resources\/get\/230813\/CWF%20Plant%20a%20Butterfly%20Garden.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Plant a Pollinator Garden<\/a> \u2014 A guide to a hands-on project that empowers students to create habitat by planting pollinator\u2011friendly native plants<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvo.org\/video\/documentaries\/the-extraordinary-caterpillar\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Extraordinary Caterpillar<\/a> \u2014 A really cool movie that highlights insect life cycles and the importance of host plants, helping students understand how plants support pollinators at every stage of life.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hww.ca\/wildlife\/invertebrates\/monarch-butterfly\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Monarch Butterfly &#8211; Hinterland Who&#8217;s Who<\/a> &#8211; A fact sheet and videos where students can learn more about Monarch Butterflies with the iconic Hinterland Who\u2019s Who program<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>WILD Education Workshops<\/h3>\n<p>Wish you had a <a href=\"https:\/\/cwf-fcf.org\/content\/cwfbepm\/site\/en\/explore\/wild-education\/project-wild#projectwild\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Project WILD<\/a> activity guide or want to tell a friend to sign up for a WILD Education workshop? Check out our upcoming workshops:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Online French workshop: May 12 and 13, covering Project WILD, Below Zero, and WILD About Sports. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/inscription-atout-faune-sous-zero-sports-nature-mai-2026-1987562264236?aff=oddtdtcreator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LEARN MORE<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Mississauga in-person workshop: June 27th. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/project-wild-workshop-mississauga-registration-1987841846474?aff=oddtdtcreator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LEARN MORE<\/a><\/li>\n<li>If neither of these options suit you, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.surveymonkey.com\/r\/WILDEdSignup\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sign up for the waitlist<\/a>, and we\u2019ll work towards offering a workshop near you.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Now let\u2019s review some relevant activities in the <a href=\"https:\/\/cwf-fcf.org\/content\/cwfbepm\/site\/en\/explore\/wild-education\/project-wild#projectwild\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Project WILD<\/a> activity guide.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Busy Bees, Busy Blooms (p. 194)<\/strong> \u2014 Students model the process of insect pollination in an active simulation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Shrinking Habitat (p. 527)<\/strong> \u2014 This lesson helps students understand how development and land use reduce available habitat and affect food chains and biodiversity.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Food Footprint (p. 590)<\/strong> \u2014 This activity traces food back to its original source: plants and pollinators.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Habitat Heroes (p. 595) and Improving Wildlife Habitat in the Community (p.598)<\/strong> \u2014 These two activities engage students in creating plans to improve wildlife habitat.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-16758\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/student-action-640x482.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"482\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/student-action-640x482.png 640w, https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/student-action-1100x829.png 1100w, https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/student-action-768x579.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/student-action-1536x1157.png 1536w, https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/student-action-530x399.png 530w, https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/student-action.png 1622w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/h3>\n<h3>Student Action Projects<\/h3>\n<p>&#8220;Nature reduces stress and anxiety, enhances physical health, and even inspires awe. Researchers found that nature connections drive better learning, support well-being, and inspire care for the planet. The study concluded, \u2018It is time to bring nature into formal education \u2014 to expand existing isolated efforts into increasingly mainstream practices.\u2019 Nowhere is the gap between what we know and what we do more offensive than in schools where 1.5 billion children and 81 million teachers spend their days indoors and disconnected from nature.\u201d &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/tI2CbTehe54?si=gXUoEmJwqjLuOxlC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Becca Katz<\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some ways that you and your students can act to support nature.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Stewardship Actions:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/w_mIOXYZ1Bk?si=QktO7YnvOOSjUZqo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Plant milkweed or larval host plants for butterflies<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 Support <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hww.ca\/wildlife\/invertebrates\/monarch-butterfly\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">monarch butterflies<\/a> and other species at risk by planting native milkweed aligns with national recovery efforts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Lifestyle Action:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Avoid pesticides and choose natural garden care<\/strong> \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/cwf-fcf.org\/en\/explore\/rivers-to-oceans-week\/pesticides.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Learn alternatives to synthetic pesticides.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Social Actions:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Launch a student-led \u201cNative Plant Swap\u201d<\/strong> \u2014 Use local resources such as the horticultural society, share extra seedlings or native seeds with classmates and families.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Create a school pollinator newsletter or social media campaign<\/strong> \u2014 Share photos, ID tips, \u201cpollinator of the week,\u201d or seasonal stewardship reminders. Don\u2019t forget about iNaturalist.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Citizenship Actions<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Participate in citizen science programs \u2014 Collect and submit real data about pollinators or native plants using national platforms:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.inaturalist.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">iNaturalist Canada<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumblebeewatch.org\/maps\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bumble Bee Watch<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pollinators remind us that nature thrives through connection. By exploring plants and pollinators this spring, students develop curiosity, empathy, and stewardship for the living world around them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>For more educational resources, sign up for our <a href=\"https:\/\/cwf-fcf.org\/en\/explore\/wild-spaces\/?src=EL\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WILD Spaces newsletter<\/a>, which provides content and resources to help you and your students plant a pollinator garden in your schoolyard.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Do you have a teacher you want to reward? Nominate them for <a href=\"https:\/\/can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flsf-lst.ca%2Fprograms%2Fearth-steward%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cmeaganp%40cwf-fcf.org%7C338fd42f264941583df708dea6457068%7C8b76c30301ec40d58d9a6c2f6d78dcd7%7C0%7C0%7C639131014383606302%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=%2BBFFIGuzJibEVPToJ4S010NapqNWCmM80DNtzZ5r20c%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Susan Langley Earth Steward Teaching Award \u2013 LSF-LST<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"post-excerpt\">&#x1f338; The Power of Pollination Pollinators make it possible for many plants to reproduce by transferring pollen from one flower to another. In doing so, they support food webs, wildlife&hellip;<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16759,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[642],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16752","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16752","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16752"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16752\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16760,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16752\/revisions\/16760"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16759"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16752"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16752"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16752"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}