What can you do to support pollinators?

The easiest way to support pollinators is by caring for plants in your own garden or backyard. By supporting non-invasive growth, rather than mowing every plant that grows, you can allow native pollinators to feed and populate your green spaces. (And go easy on the pesticides!)

If you’re the proud owner of a green thumb, take your agricultural drive a step further and plant area-friendly pollinator plants in your gardens. In our neck of the woods, sumac and willow shrubs make for excellent choices. Or if you’d prefer more flowery options, consider sunflowers or goldenrods.

Outside of the growing season, you can help pollinators find homes for hibernation by leaving patches of fallen decomposing leaves on the ground for insects to root in safely. Leaving patches of un-packed dirt in insect attracting areas, such as at the base of trees, can also help them create their below-ground retreats.

Information sourced from the Xerces Society at xerces.org and the Vermont Center for Ecostudies at vtecostudies.org.