Toronto – Applications are now open for the City of Toronto’s PollinateTO grants! PollinateTO offers grants of up to $5,000 to support community-led initiatives that result in the creation or expansion of pollinator habitats on public and private lands in Toronto. A priority will be placed on funding projects in Toronto’s Neighbourhood Improvement Areas.
Projects eligible for funding include those that create new pollinator habitats, expand or enhance an existing garden by adding pollinator-friendly plants and/or convert a lawn area, boulevard or hard service into a pollinator garden or rain garden.
The grants are a component of the City’s Pollinator Protection Strategy adopted by Toronto City Council in 2018 to support more than 360 species of bees and more than 100 species of butterflies and other pollinators in Toronto. Many species are in decline due to loss of habitat, climate change and other stressors. Pollinators support healthy and resilient ecosystems that help clean the air, capture carbon, stabilize soil and absorb stormwater.
Since 2019, PollinateTO has supported more than 190 community-led projects, resulting in the creation of 500 gardens and an estimated 25,500 m² of pollinator habitat. Applications are open until Monday, October 21 and are available on the City’s website. The City is hosting PollinateTO information sessions where interested applicants can learn more about the program. Dates include:
- Thursday, September 12 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 1 from noon to 1 p.m.
- Thursday, October 10 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Residents can register to an upcoming information session by visiting the City’s PollinateTO webpage.