Whether it’s the cheerful cheep of a sparrow, the whistle of a waxwing or whoo of an owl, the melody of bird sounds just delight us when walking on a path in your local green space.  These simple moments in nature bring peace, comfort and so many health benefits. That’s why Nature Canada is proud to join together with Nature’s Way Canada to support local volunteers who are protecting and restoring vital habitats for both local and migrating birds and inspiring people to connect with nearby nature.

Thanks to our new partnership, Bird Friendly Teams across the country are bringing the vision of a truly Bird Friendly City to life through hands-on stewardship projects over the past few months. From planting over 400 native shrubs, trees, and flowers to create habitat and food for birds, to removing invasive species, leading community education and building nest boxes for Species at Risk, these local heroes are making a huge difference to reverse the declines of bird populations seen across Canada. 

Kudos to Nature’s Way Canada, whose commitment and generosity helped these conservation projects to take flight:

Restoring Nature at Clifford Sonny Belch Park in Belleville, ON

“By greening our community, we help ensure we live in a healthy, vibrant ecosystem where both people and wildlife can thrive.”  – Greg Parsons, Quinte Field Naturalists 

Quinte Field Naturalist members, Lori Borthwick (left) and Greg Parsons (right) demonstrate to volunteers how to properly plant trees in Clifford Sonny Belch Park. Photo credit: Quinte Field Naturalists’ Club and Bird Friendly Bay of Quinte

This fall, a transformative restoration project took root at Clifford Sonny Belch Park, where 360 fruit-bearing native shrubs and trees were planted to help strengthen and restore the park’s ecosystem. These shrubs will not only stabilize the surrounding area, but also provide essential habitat and food for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife throughout the seasons. 

Volunteer members from the community of Belleville gather before tree planting begins at Clifford Sonny Belch Park. Photo credit: Quinte Field Naturalists’ Club and Bird Friendly Bay of Quinte

The many dedicated volunteers from Quinte Field Naturalists Club, Bird Friendly Bay of Quinte and local community members from Belleville, Ontario worked tirelessly to restore habitat in this beloved local green space. It was lovely that the Clifford Belch family were also able to join with community members to witness this important restoration work.

One volunteer begins tree planting in Belleville, Ontario. Photo credit: Bay of Quinte Field Naturalists’ Club and Bird Friendly Bay of Quinte

Native plantings like these are small but powerful steps in addressing climate change and reversing biodiversity loss—two of the greatest environmental challenges of our time.

Stewarding Everett Crowley Park as an Urban Wilderness Oasis in Vancouver, BC

The Everett Crowley Park Committee (ECPC) has been off to a flying start this season, bringing people and nature together through hands-on restoration, invasive species removal, Indigenous planting and community learning.

ECPC members smile in the rain during their first Indigenous planting session for Fall 2025 in the park’s Avalon Pond area. Photo credit: Everett Crowley Park Committee

Across four native planting sessions, volunteers from ECPC and Vancouver, BC have helped restore a variety of ecosystems throughout the park — from pioneer native forest and riparian ponds to open meadows and woodland edges. Nearly 200 native plants such as salal, wild strawberries, red osier dogwood, and thimbleberry to restore the Avalon Pond South site.

Native planting in action by ECPC members in the parks fern gully. Photo credit: Everett Crowley Park Committee

Alongside the planting, new “Restoration in Progress” signage can be found followed by bird monitoring walks. Participants spotted Northern Flickers, House Finches, Hutton’s Vireos, Anna’s Hummingbirds, Brown Creepers, Golden-crowned Kinglets and Song Sparrows. 

The ECPC member volunteer team seen together for their first planting event of the Fall 2025 season.Photo credit: Everett Crowley Park Committee

This project has been pivotal in connecting community members with biodiversity and its importance in urban environments.

Growing Greener Cities: Celebrating Urban Stewardship in Montreal Quebec’s Lachine Borough 

“Being part of the Bird Friendly City committee is inspiring because we are showing a willingness to protect birdlife in urban areas and we are driving change in the city. Our awareness-raising activities are bringing more and more citizens together for the cause.”  – Lachine, QC Bird Friendly Committee Volunteer4

Community spirit and stewardship came alive at the “Fête des récoltes” at the Lachine Museum, where families and nature lovers gathered to celebrate birds, gardening, and local biodiversity. Under sunny skies, the Le GRAME team and local Bird Friendly Team volunteers led two fun, hands-on activities — a bird feeder–building workshop and a storytelling session about bird migration for children.

A native pollinator patch around a street tree in the borough of Lachine, Montreal QC. Photo credit: Le GRAME.

More than 110 people joined in the fun, and children proudly built 20 bird feeders and painted 70 colourful bird artworks inspired by local species like the chimney swift, northern cardinal, and great blue heron. These creative activities helped spark conversations about how we can support birds right here in our city — from planting native flowers and shrubs to keeping habitats healthy for species like the Chimney Swift, which depends on local masonry-brick chimneys for nesting.

Signage for the event demonstrating the different types of migratory birds in Lachine, Montreal borough as well as promotion for a guided bird walk. Photo credit: Le GRAME

Additionally Le GRAME’s “Défi fleuri” event encouraged more than 80 borough residents to green their own spaces — balconies, tree squares, and gardens — with native plants that attract pollinators and birds to support urban nature. Together, these small actions are building a more connected, bird-friendly community, where both people and wildlife can thrive.

It’s proof that restoration and stewardship can happen anywhere — sometimes it’s as simple as a bird feeder, a flowerpot with native species, or a child’s painting that inspires care and positive change for the natural world. 

Children made bird houses and art for local and migratory birds that pass through the area. Photo credit: Le GRAME

These are just a few examples of the incredible impact that community stewardship can have —  from planting native species and restoring habitats to creating bird-friendly urban gardens and engaging families in hands-on learning. Together, we’re creating greener, more resilient spaces for people, pollinators, and biodiversity. 

A heartfelt thank you to Nature’s Way Canada, our supporters and other funders for making these vital conservation projects possible.  Your support ensures a brighter future where people, birds and wildlife can flourish side by side in our cities.