Backyard Biodiversity Research

Thanks for your interest, the project has enough gardens now!

Participate in Our Backyard Biodiversity Research

In a study of 9 gardens in 2025, Elizabeth found 130 species of flower visitors! Would you like to know who is using your garden?

How it Works

Elizabeth is currently performing research to link gardener’s attitudes and practices to the diversity of flower visitors in their gardens, and needs 15-20 more gardens. Gardeners who agree to be in the study answer some survey and interview questions, and with Elizabeth’s help complete a version of the Xerces Society Habitat Assessment Guide. Each garden is surveyed for flower visitors six times between April and August; insects are collected and euthanized so they can be identified to species in the lab. Results of the research (both overall and specific to your garden) are shared back with participants.

Requirements

Only home gardens (not community gardens) are being considered, as the intention is to link the choices of individuals to backyard biodiversity.
Gardens should generally be within the Metro Vancouver region (generally, North and West Vancouver, Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, Coquitlam, North Surrey).
Included gardens must be a minimum of 1-2 km from all other gardens in the study. Size of your property is also considered, as we need a range of garden sizes in our research.
Insect activity is weather dependent, so some flexibility regarding when Elizabeth can survey your garden is a must.
We can’t include everyone’s garden, sadly, but Elizabeth is happy to come speak to your garden club about pollinators and garden ecology anytime!

Participate

If you would like your garden to be considered for inclusion in the study, please submit the form below.

This research falls under Human Research Ethics Application 30003078 from Simon Fraser University. To protect your privacy, your personal information will not be retained once participants are chosen in April, 2026.