Sovon lé zabèy (Save the bees)

The Métis Nation of Ontario's (MNO) Native Bee Monitoring Project is a community-based initiative in Regions 1-9, focused on the conservation and monitoring of bee species that are native to Ontario.

Climate change, pesticide use and habitat loss have all contributed to insect decline and specifically, bee population decline in Canada. One of the ways citizens can support these populations is to provide nesting habitat. Another is to plant pollinator-friendly flowers to provide a food source. This project will allow Métis households to support local bee populations, specifically solitary bees that nest in hollow cavities (e.g. mason, leafcutter, etc.), and monitor potential impacts of climate change on these species. There will be three main elements for participants:
  1. Setting up a bee hotel for cavity-nesting bees outside.
  2. Filling out an online form at the end of the season (reporting contents, species, weather, etc.).
  3. Reporting on nearby plant bloom times (phenology).
Along with the bee hotel, participants will be given planting supplies to encourage the planting of native flowers as a food source. Participants will also be given educational resources, such as identifying native bee and plant species.

This project is open to Métis citizens who are interested in spending time on the land and can commit to monitoring requirements. This includes taking photos and collecting information up to three times from May to October, to be reported in an end of year online survey. The program is open to Métis citizens ages 18+ as you must own or rent property, however we encourage youth and families to participate together. The data will be shared with outside agencies to help support native bee conservation.

Please complete the online form below to be considered for the program.

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* 1. Are you interested in participating?

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* 2. Contact Information

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* 3. This project is open to citizens of the Métis Nation of Ontario. Please confirm that you are a citizen.

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* 4. Which MNO Region do you live in?

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* 5. Which MNO Community Council are you affiliated with?

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* 6. Would any other Métis citizens in your household be participating with you?

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* 7. Do you have any experience with monitoring or bee species?

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* 8. Will you be able to commit to the monitoring requirements of the program?

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* 9. Do you have any comments/questions?

Thank you for your interest! Monitoring will start in spring 2025. You will be notified by email shortly if you have been selected to participate in the program.

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