How ‘parks for bugs’ boost pollinators in Vancouver
Photo: Jens Ulrich / UBC News
April 22, 2025
New UBC research led by CSFS associate Dr. Risa Sargent and PhD student Jens Ulrich shows that small changes to urban green spaces can have a big impact on pollinators. The study found that planting wildflower meadows and reducing mowing in city parks—creating so-called “parks for bugs”—increased wild bee and hoverfly diversity by up to 47 species over three years.
In collaboration with the City of Vancouver, the study highlights how even small patches of habitat can support biodiversity. These findings are shaping city planning and offer simple steps anyone can take, like planting native flowers or mowing less, to make urban spaces more pollinator-friendly.