pollinators a safe, weatherproof place to nest. They’re simple to install, beautiful in design, and incredibly impactful. With pollinator populations declining due to pesticides, monoculture farming, and habitat loss, Rick and the team believe small actions can lead to big change. “Bee Bricks are a natural extension of what we started,” Rick explains. “They’re an invitation — for bees, and for people — to be part of the solution.” To learn more or to support the initiative, visit: www.pollinative.ca and www.beebrick.ca.
Building a Buzz: Bee Brick Brings Pollinator Power to Your Backyard by Pamma Hubbert
What started as a roadside restoration project is now buzzing its way into gardens across North America. Founded in 2017 by Rick Tusch, his son Billy, and friend Marty Welsh, Pollinative Pathways began as a nonprofit focused on reclaiming and rewilding land along Ontario’s busiest highways — including the 401, 402, and 403. By removing invasive species and planting native wildflowers, the team has created vital habitat corridors for pollinators like bees, butterflies, birds, and bats.
“We wanted to give something back to the land that gave so much to us,” says Rick. “That meant building spaces where pollinators could thrive — first along highways, and now in people’s backyards.” Enter the Bee Brick — an eco-friendly nesting structure designed for solitary bees, including mason and leafcutter bees. Unlike honeybees, these quiet pollinators don’t form hives or produce honey. Instead, they prefer small cavities in wood, stone, or brick — and they happen to be responsible for pollinating nearly 75% of our edible plants. The Bee Brick, inspired by a UK concept and now patented and trademarked by Rick and Bill Tusch, gives these essential
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