Aug. 12, 2026
PERTH, Ont. – The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) has unveiled its new native seed drill, which was purchased with a $54,000 Capital grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation. The unveiling marked the launch of a community restoration equipment library that will help establish native meadows for Monarch butterflies and other pollinators across the region.
“In 2019 Lanark County partnered with the Canadian Wildlife Federation to create the award-winning Monarch Butterfly Recovery Pilot Project and they have since set the bar for North American pollinator habitat restoration,” said John Jordan, MPP for Lanark-Frontenac- Kingston. “The availability of seed drills and other essential restoration equipment will enhance the creation of native meadows throughout Lanark County and the Eastern Region. Congratulations to all involved for your innovative efforts to increase the odds for the Monarch butterfly’s successful migratory journey to Mexico.”
Every year, Monarch butterflies undertake one of the world's most remarkable migrations, travelling thousands of kilometres between Canada and Mexico. Along the way, they depend on native wildflowers for food and shelter. To help restore these critical habitats, CWF is working with land managers and community organizations to create native meadows throughout the landscape. The new Truax native seed drill will play a key role in that effort. Designed specifically for planting native seeds, the specialized equipment precisely places seed at the correct depth and provides optimal soil coverage, improving germination rates and the success of restoration projects.
The funding helped establish a restoration equipment library at the Lanark County Administration Building. As the first native seed drill available in the region, the Truax drill will be offered at no cost to municipalities, conservation organizations and other restoration partners undertaking native meadow projects. By providing access to equipment that is typically cost-prohibitive, the library will help remove barriers to large-scale habitat restoration and expand conservation efforts throughout the region.
Prior to the Aug. 8 unveiling, community members were invited to enter a naming contest for the special equipment. “Polly Planter”, a submission by eleven-year-old Lily Jellositz, was selected from over 100 entries to be the official name of the seed drill. “Polly” stands for pollinators and “Planter” refers to the seed drill function. Following the unveiling, participants joined an International Monarch Blitz, learning how to identify milkweed, Monarch eggs and caterpillars before submitting observations that contribute to continent-wide Monarch conservation efforts.
"This seed drill is much more than a piece of equipment, it’s an investment in restoration capacity and a catalyst for conservation,” says Victoria Woodhouse, habitat program manager at the Canadian Wildlife Federation. “By launching the restoration tool library, we can provide land managers, municipalities, conservation organizations and community groups with access to specialized equipment that might otherwise be out of reach. This helps turn restoration plans into action making large-scale native meadow establishment more accessible and effective. By sharing access to specialized restoration tools, we can build local restoration capacity and create the connected habitat that monarchs and other pollinators need to thrive.”
To learn more about how the Canadian Wildlife Federation is supporting endangered Monarch butterflies and other pollinators, visit HelptheMonarchs.ca.
About the Canadian Wildlife Federation:
The Canadian Wildlife Federation is a national, not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to conserving Canada's wildlife and habitats for the use and enjoyment of all. By spreading knowledge of human impacts on wildlife and the environment, carrying out actions to conserve and restore species and habitats, developing and delivering conservation education programs, advocating for changes to government policy and programs, and co-operating with like-minded partners, CWF encourages a future in which Canadians can live in harmony with nature. For more information, visit CanadianWildlifeFederation.ca.
About the Ontario Trillium Foundation:
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. In 2025-26, OTF invested nearly $107M into 746 community projects. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
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Contact: media@cwf-fcf.org or
Victoria Woodhouse, Habitat Program Manager
Canadian Wildlife Federation
1.877.599.5777 x 202
