Did you know about 75% of all flowering plant species need animal pollinators for reproduction. As a result, pollinators contribute to ecosystem health and a sustainable food supply. You can celebrate pollinators, during National Pollinator Week from June 22-28, 2020.
Pollinator Partnership, a non-profit organization based in San Francisco, California, is the sponsoring organization for National Pollinator Week. Pollinator Partnership’s mission is “to promote the health of pollinators, critical to food and ecosystems, through conservation, education, and research.” This week brings a heightened awareness to how pollinators are essential to our ecosystem and how we can protect them. P2 offers seven ideas on how you can support pollinators.
- PLANT FOR POLLINATORS — Creating a habitat for pollinators is as simple as creating a window box or as complex as acres of farms. Planting native plants and planting for continuous blooming supports pollinators throughout the seasons.
- REDUCE OR ELIMINATE THE IMPACT OF PESTICIDES — Where possible, avoid pest problems by first burying infested plants, removing pest habitats and planting native plants. If you must use pesticides, read and follow all label directions carefully.
- REGISTER YOUR POLLINATOR HABITAT SITE — Be a part of the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge. This is a free registry of sites that are pollinator friendly. This registry is used to measure pollinator action and those areas that may need more awareness of pollinators.
- REACH OUT TO OTHERS – INFORM AND INSPIRE — Reach out to local and state government officials to let them know you care about pollinator health.
- SUPPORT LOCAL BEES AND BEEKEEPERS. — Visit a local farmer’s market to purchase local honey.
- CONSERVE ALL OF OUR RESOURCES; USE LESS AND REDUCE YOUR IMPACT. — Pollinators are dramatically affected by extremes in weather. By conserving our resources, we have an impact on climate change, therefore having an impact on climate change.
- SUPPORT THE WORK OF GROUPS PROMOTING SCIENCE BASED, PRACTICAL EFFORTS FOR POLLINATORS — Local organizations like Laporte County Soil and Water Conservation District or International Friendship Gardens can offer more resources.
The https://www.pollinator.org/ website also offers more activities you can do with your family for National Pollinator Week.
Want to learn how you can create a space for pollinators? Check out these resources from La Porte County Public Library.
List of Resources:
Attracting native pollinators: protecting North America’s bees and butterflies
Where have all the bees gone? : Pollinators in crisis by Hirsch, Rebecca E.
Let’s get gardening : 30 easy gardening projects for children
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https://laportelibrary.org/at-the-library/collections/interlibrary-loan/suggest-a-title/.
