Pollinator Week (June 22 to 28, 2026) is an annual event celebrated across the world in support of pollinator health. A pollinator is anything that transports pollen grains from one flower to another; this includes bees, birds, bats, butterflies, moths, flies, wasps, and beetles. Pollinators help create healthy ecosystems.
Pic-a-Pollinator Online Photo Contest: Open until June 28
Barrie residents can submit their best photo of a pollinator in action through the Pic-a-Pollinator contest. Take a photo of a pollinator at work! The winner will receive a pollinator prize pack for their garden and will have their photo featured on social media and the City’s website.
Along with the photo contest, residents are invited to participate in two free events associated with Pollinator Week:
- Bee Hotel Maintenance Day | Sunnidale Park (227 Sunnidale Road) | Thursday, June 25 | 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Drop in to see how the Sunnidale Park Bee Hotel (a habitat for native bees) is maintained and learn about what you can do to support pollinators at home.
- Dunsmore Park Community Garden Party | Dunsmore Community Garden (165 Dunsmore Lane) | Friday, June 26 | 2 to 5 p.m.
- Explore the new community garden space, learn about the importance of native plants, and discover how we can all support local pollinators.
Activity details are available at barrie.ca/BeeCity.
Residents are also encouraged to think about ways they can help protect pollinators during Pollinator Week. Here are some tips to help make your yard more pollinator-friendly:
- Visit the Barrie Native Plant Explorer database to discover native plants in our urban and natural environment and choose the right plant for the right place.
- Plant multiple pollen and nectar-producing native plants that bloom in different seasons to attract a diversity of bees and other pollinators.
- Garden without pesticides.
The City of Barrie has removed the use of cosmetic pesticides from operations and has been active in creating pollinator spaces.
For more details about how the City is helping to protect pollinators, more tips on what you can do, and full details on all Pollinator Week events, visit barrie.ca/BeeCity.
