Défi Pissenlits

Take the Dandelion Challenge! Support pollinating insects

The Challenge

The Dandelion Challenge was first launched in 2021 by Miel&Co. (Portneuf, Québec) and became a non-profit organization in the fall of 2023. The Dandelion Challenge is a large-scale awareness campaign on the vital contribution of pollinating insects to the planet. By raising awareness and sharing knowledge about the impact humans have on the health of pollinating insects, the organization hopes to encourage Canadians to take simple actions throughout the year in order to help their survival.

Each person can take part in the challenge in one simple but effective way: hold off mowing the lawn in the spring, which allows pollinators to replenish their supply of pollen and nectar from dandelions and other flowers. This way, pollinators can store enough energy to start the pollination season, a key moment in the process that produces a third of our food supply!

On a bigger scale, public organizations, private businesses and municipalities across the country can also do their part in raising awareness. With the distribution of communication tools, educational activities and seed collections, the Dandelion Challenge can be applied in all regions—rural or urban—to support pollinators everywhere in Canada.

Some Statistics

In 2023, we enjoyed a record-breaking number of participants:

155 municipalities;
8 RCMs;
33 businesses;
1,640 individuals;
More than 10,000 mailings of our communication tools to municipalities, RCMs, businesses and individuals since the inception of the Challenge in 2021;
More than 75 interviews in different media across the province!

The Dandelion Challenge

Contributes to the health of pollinators;
Promotes and enhances biodiversity in both urban and rural areas;
Reduces pesticide use on lawns.

JOIN THE DANDELION CHALLENGE

Join the Challenge to be added to our interactive map. You can help make lawns attractive and plentiful for pollinators!

Interactive map #Dandelionchallenge

Information

35% of our food supply depends on insect pollinators

Without their valuable contribution, we would have to live without our current cornucopia of fruits, vegetables and nuts, not to mention our precious morning coffee!

Foods that are available in abundance through pollination

SMALL FRUITS (BLUEBERRIES, STRAWBERRY, RASPBERRY)

NUTS (ALMONDS, CASHEW NUTS, KOLA NUTS)

BEANS (SOY, COFFEE, COCOA)

OILSEEDS (SUNFLOWER SEEDS, SESAME, MUSTARD SEEDS)

FRUIT TREES (APPLES, APRICOTS, PEACHES, PLUMS)

VEGETABLES (SQUASH, CUCUMBERS, ONIONS)

With extinction rates going as high as 100 to 1,000 times that of other animals, it’s time to take action to help our pollinators.

When should I mow the lawn?

What is pollination?

Pollination is the transportation of pollen, which allows plants to reproduce.

By collecting nectar deep in the flowers to feed their colonies, pollinating insects move pollen between the plants’ reproductive cells. As a result, flowers are fertilized, and fruit begins to grow!

Some plants and trees to plant or let grow to help bees and other pollinating insects

HOW DO I PARTICIPATE IN THE DANDELION CHALLENGE?

REGISTER YOUR ORGANIZATION

Follow in the footsteps of hundreds of towns and businesses: become an inspiring leader who dares changing their ways in order to support pollinators!

PROUDLY DISPLAY YOUR PARTICIPATION

Place on your lawn a sign that says “I hold off mowing the lawn in the spring,” and plant organic flowers from Jardins de l’Écoumène.