Type and press “enter” to search
The new rooftop pollinator gardens
Our new pollinator gardens on the rooftop of the Wetland Discovery Centre have now been completed!
This new space will be used both for programming with students as well as educating our general public about the benefits of pollinators in our environment.
The rooftop garden before
The large garden located on the rooftop had been mostly taken over by weedy species and was too large to manage. Because of this, all the vegetation was completely cut back and the area was no longer being used by wildlife.
Upon consultation with native plant specialists, it was decided to reconfigure the original garden space into smaller gardens to improve accessibility and quality of the habitat. Visitors of all ages and abilities can now have the opportunity to tour the gardens and see pollinators up close in action.
Fritillary on purple coneflower
Over a dozen different native species of wildflowers (including Purple Coneflower, Giant Hyssop, Gaillardia, Stiff Goldenrod, and Heartland Alexander) have been planted. This will in turn attract a variety of pollinating insects to the site. These gardens create a natural habitat for wildlife and educate our visitors on plants, habitats, pollinators, and interactions within ecosystems in an interactive manner. Interpretive signs will also be installed at each garden.
Upon their visit, people will be encouraged to create their own wildflower gardens both at home and other areas within their community, thus expanding natural pollinator sites across the province. The next phase will be the management of the Green roof portion with a burn this fall to regenerate the native grasses.
DUC “Wetlanders” students from the University of Manitoba planting the gardens
Thank you to the generous support from our major sponsors Co-op Community Spaces and TD Friends of the Environment. We would also like to thank the Interlake Community Foundation and Prairie Originals for their contribution to this project.
