Why Pollinators Are Important
Pollinators include insects like bees, flies, beetles, and butterflies and are one of the most vital links in the food chain. Between 75% and 95% of flowering plants rely on pollinators to reproduce. Birds and bats also play an important role in spreading native seeds and creating sustainable ecosystems. Yet many pollinator populations are declining.
Sponsored by Audubon Society, Capital Region & Wild Ones Capital Region NY
How can you promote and protect native pollinators and seed spreading species?
Create A Pollinator Friendly Garden!
Check out Cornell Cooperative Extension (Monroe’s County) page on creating pollinator-friendly gardens!
Learn more about our native bees and wasps from Heather Holms!
Cornell Ornithology Lab: Project Feeder Watch - Match Birds with the Best Foods for Them
Learn more about Monarch butterflies and join a citizen-science opportunity with Monarch Watch
Hummingbirds are just as important to our ecosystems as butterflies and bees as they are pollinators too! Unfortunately, Hummingbirds are at risk like many other pollinators, due to habitat loss and a lack of nectar filled, native plants. Prairie Nursery has created customizable kits to allow you choose Hummingbird friendly plants of your liking to add to your gardens! Visit their website using the tab below to learn more.
Learn about wasps!
Enjoy this presentation by Heather Holms presented by Wild Ones Native Plants, Natural Landscapes!
Recommended Reading
Books
Darke, Rick and Tallamy, Dr. Douglas, The Living Landscape: Designing for Beauty and Biodiversity in the Home Garden
Lawson, Nancy, The Humane Gardener
Leopold, Donald J., Native Plants of the Northeast: A Guide for Gardening & Conservation
Lorimer, Uli, The Northeast Native Plant Primer
McGrath, Anne, Wildflowers of the Adirondacks
Mizejewski, David, Attracting Birds, Butterflies, and Other Backyard Wildlife, Expanded Second Edition (Creative Homeowner) 17 Projects & Step-by-Step Instructions to Give Back to Nature (National Wildlife Federation)
Tallamy, Dr. Douglas, Bringing Nature Home
Tallamy, Dr. Douglas, Nature’s Best Hope
Tallamy, Dr. Douglas, The Nature of Oaks
Sousa, Elle, The Green Garden
Stein, Sara, Noah’s Garden: Restoring the Ecology of Our Own Back Yards
Native Plant Shopping Guide, https://www.hgcny.org/projects/shopping/ (downloadable guide in PDF format)