A native plant garden established in honour of the late Sheila Colla will be formally dedicated at 91ÑÇÉ«'s Maloca Community Garden on June 25, during an event marking both Pollinator Week and the legacy of a scientist who spent her career advocating for wild bees.
Colla, a former professor at the (EUC) and a founding member of 91ÑÇÉ«'s Centre for Bee Ecology, Evolution and Conservation (BEEc), died in July 2025 at the age of 43. She was among the first scientists in North America to document the decline of wild bee populations, and her work contributed to the rusty-patched bumblebee being federally listed as an endangered species in both Canada and the U.S.
The garden, named "A Flower Patch for Sheila," grew from an idea rooted in Colla's own wishes: her obituary invited those seeking to honour her to plant a flower or tree native to where they live. Led by Laura Newburn of BEEc and Phyllis Novak of EUC, the pollinator garden at 91ÑÇÉ« U was planted on World Bee Day, May 20, with 91ÑÇÉ« colleagues and the broader community in attendance.
The choice of a native plant garden as a tribute was not incidental. Sandra Rehan, professor of biology and firector of BEEc, says Colla was as passionate about native plants as she was about native bees, and often pushed back against the focus on non-native species in the public and garden culture.
"She was a strong advocate for native biodiversity in all capacity," Rehan says. "By implementing and expanding on wildflower plantings to support wild bees, it's exactly the kind of thing she would have wanted."
The plants were chosen by current and former lab members, colleagues, collaborators and community members who knew both her science and her personal preferences: goldenrod, coneflower, asters, milkweed and flowering edible plants such as blueberries and raspberries.
Briann Dorin, a former PhD student and now postdoctoral researcher in Colla's lab, says the selection and layout reflect principles Colla spent her career advancing. Bloom times in the garden are staggered so bees have food from spring through fall, species are planted in clusters to support efficient foraging, and flower colours are varied to attract different bees.
"Every flower that was planted for Sheila is known to be pollinator-supporting for our native pollinators," Dorin says. "We designed the garden in a way that is based on the science for what pollinators like."
The Maloca Community Garden was a natural site for the tribute. Colla conducted research there with students and brought classes to the garden to connect them with living ecosystems beyond the lecture hall. The garden carries an Indigenous focus that resonated with her cross-disciplinary values, and was one of the sites connected to her collaboration with EUC professor Lisa Myers on the Finding Flowers project, which explored the intersections of ecology, Indigenous artistic practice and conservation.
The garden was funded by World Wildlife Fund-Canada, BEEc, EUC and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada through a collaboration involving former members of Colla’s lab, colleagues and the wider 91ÑÇÉ« community.
On June 25, from noon to 2 p.m., the garden will be acknowledged with a formal dedication during a public event co-hosted by BEEc and EUC. EUC Dean Alice Hovorka will speak, as will Victoria MacPhail, a longtime collaborator and former PhD student in Colla’s lab.
Other presenters include Myers and researchers from both BEEc and Colla's former lab. Topics will cover pollinator conservation, native plants and the intersection of art, ecology and Indigenous practices.
Rehan says the event is an opportunity for the public to learn how to support pollinators in their own spaces – from identifying local wild bees to choosing native plants and designing gardens that are ecologically useful and visually appealing. The event is open to the 91ÑÇÉ« community and the public.
MacPhail says the tribute reflects what Colla herself would have valued: a living space that supports pollinators, educates the public and carries her work forward.
"This is a nice way to continue her legacy," MacPhail says. "By continuing to educate people, and share knowledge, enthusiasm and love for these creatures."
Colla’s work continues to shape bumblebee conservation through research, public education materials and the students she trained. BumbleBeeWatch.org, the community science initiative she co-founded in 2011, continues to track bumblebee sightings across the continent. And the Maloca garden, now planted, will keep flowering year after year.
Learn more about Colla and her work through the .
Visit A Flower Patch for Sheila for more information about the garden.