Pollinator Week 2026
Pollinator Week (June 22 - 26, 2026)
Pollinator Week is an international initiative led by Pollinator Partnerships, dedicated to raising awareness and promoting the health of pollinators. At Western, this week is an opportunity to discover how you can support pollinators through engaging educational events, hands-on activities, and community-driven initiatives.
From native plant giveaways to a campus-wide photo contest and interactive workshops, members of the Western community are invited to participate, learn, and take action. Join us in celebrating pollinators and contributing to a more sustainable, pollinator-friendly campus.
Pollinator Photo Contest
Dates: June 8 - 30, 2026
Platform: Instagram or email
Share your favourite pollinator photos for a chance to be featured on the Western Sustainability Instagram page or website! This social media contest is designed to celebrate pollinators and encourage the campus community to connect with nature. Visit the gardens on campus or explore your own backyard to find pollinating creatures.
Photo submissions will be accepted from June 8 - 30 via Direct Message, tagging @westernuSustain on Instagram or by emailing sustainability@uwo.ca.
Pollinator Scavenger Hunt
Dates: June 8 - 30, 2026
Platform: Qualtrics survey will open June 30
Join the Pollinator Scavenger Hunt – a fun and engaging way to learn about pollinators and their habitats while exploring the Western University campus! This self-paced adventure invites the campus community to solve clues and puzzles that will guide you to various hidden spots across Western.
Participation is open to everyone, and you're welcome to skip any clue if it proves tricky - just keep moving and enjoy the journey. The main objective is to get outside, discover new places, and learn something along the way!
Native Plant Giveaway
When: Monday, June 22 @ 11:30am - 1:00pm
Where: Western Community Garden (beside the Greenhouses, near Middlesex Parking Lot)
Come visit us beneath the big tree at the Western Community Garden for a free Native Plant Giveaway! Campus community members can take home up to two native plants, available while supplies last on a first-come, first-served basis. Native plants play a vital role in supporting pollinators by providing essential food and habitat, and they’re a fantastic way to boost biodiversity in your outdoor space. These plants thrive best when planted outdoors, either directly in the ground or in large containers.
A big thank you to the Friends of the Garden volunteers for growing and donating the plants featured at this event!
Art + Pollinator Tour
When: Tuesday, June 23 @ 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Where: Meet outside McIntosh Gallery
Join the Sustainability Office and McIntosh Gallery for a guided walking tour exploring the vibrant public art and sustainability features across campus. Along the way, you’ll discover how creative expression and sustainability these spaces. With a special focus on pollinators, the tour will highlight gardens and habitats that support biodiversity - offering a refreshing way to connect with nature and learn something new.
Bee Bath Building Workshop
When: Friday, June 26 @ 12:10pm - 12:50pm
Where: Meet on the patio behind the Western Interdisciplinary Research Building (WIRB)
As part of Pollinator Week, campus community members are invited to take part in a hands-on Bee Bath Building Workshop! Bee baths offer pollinators a safe place to rest and rehydrate. At this event, you'll create one of your own to take home.
All supplies will be provided, and you're welcome to bring your lunch and enjoy it during the workshop.
Space is limited, so be sure to register in advance!
