Humber Bay Butterfly Habitat
Humber Bay Park East, Toronto, ON
416-392-5323
Toronto’s space dedicated to supporting butterflies in their growth, and beyond.
Category:
Recreation Location
Where:
| Neighbourhood | | Etobicoke Southwest |
| Getting There | | Queen Streetcar |
| Cross Street | | Lakeshore & Park Lawn Rd. |
When:
| Mon-Sun: Daylight Hours |
Profile Last Updated: September 22, 2008
Hundred Plant Habitat
This ecological restoration project on the east peninsula of Humber Bay Park in Etobicoke provides a vital habitat for a variety of native butterfly species. The Humber Bay Butterfly Habitat is adorned with over 100 different types of plants—native wildflowers, shrubs, trees, grasses, sedges and other features—designed to support butterflies throughout their life cycles, and educate educating park users about the value of urban conservation. Open to the public since 2002, the Butterfly Habitat also contains a Home Garden area. Here, visitors can learn what plants they can use in their own backyards to cultivate a personal version of an urban wildlife habitat.
Float Like a Butterfly
The insect’s life span – from egg to caterpillar to pupae to butterfly – transpires on the site, giving observers insight into how these colourful flutterers come into existence. In all, there are three components to the Butterfly Habitat:
the Short Grass Prairie, featuring a variety of host and nectar plants, along with trees and shrubs, the Wildflower Meadow, which includes a butterfly alphabet and butterfly languages, and the Home Garden, with stonewalls, perennial beds, and information on how to turn a grassy knoll into a butterfly haven.
Protection and Care
The art components of Humber Bay Butterfly Habitat are also a crucial part of the ecosystem. Spirit House is a construction that keeps watch over the Home Garden, and uses interpretive signage to help bring the plants and butterflies to life. Meanwhile, a group of sculpted ravens, known as “The Guardians,” are dedicated to keeping predatory birds at bay.
This ecological restoration project on the east peninsula of Humber Bay Park in Etobicoke provides a vital habitat for a variety of native butterfly species. The Humber Bay Butterfly Habitat is adorned with over 100 different types of plants—native wildflowers, shrubs, trees, grasses, sedges and other features—designed to support butterflies throughout their life cycles, and educate educating park users about the value of urban conservation. Open to the public since 2002, the Butterfly Habitat also contains a Home Garden area. Here, visitors can learn what plants they can use in their own backyards to cultivate a personal version of an urban wildlife habitat.
Float Like a Butterfly
The insect’s life span – from egg to caterpillar to pupae to butterfly – transpires on the site, giving observers insight into how these colourful flutterers come into existence. In all, there are three components to the Butterfly Habitat:
Protection and Care
The art components of Humber Bay Butterfly Habitat are also a crucial part of the ecosystem. Spirit House is a construction that keeps watch over the Home Garden, and uses interpretive signage to help bring the plants and butterflies to life. Meanwhile, a group of sculpted ravens, known as “The Guardians,” are dedicated to keeping predatory birds at bay.
