Here at the Clinton County Conservation District, we take great pride in our worthwhile efforts of providing more habitat for pollinators.

A pollinator is anything that carries pollen from one flower to another flower to fertilize and produce fruit, seeds, and other plants. There are plants that are self-pollinating, meaning that they do not need an outside force to pollinate, they can do it themselves. Wind or water are both pollinators, as they may carry pollen to another plant that needs it for fertilization.

Some common insects and animals that are pollinators include bees, wasps, butterflies, moths, flies, birds, and small mammals. 

You can learn more about the life cycle of one of the most important pollinators, butterflies, through watching the video below:

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The truth is, we cannot live without pollinators! Humans are extremely dependent on pollinators because of their crucial role in the food production process.  Around 80% of crops that are grown worldwide need pollinated by animals and natural processes. Without pollination, there simply would not be any crop yield. Pollination services are also worth more than 3 trillion dollars. 

Pollinators support plant communities that provide beneficial ecological services. These services include removing contaminants from water, producing oxygen, limiting erosion, and sequestering carbon.  Pollinators not only support humans through aiding in increased crop yield, but they also help wildlife, as pollinated plants are a food source for animals. 

How Can We Protect Pollinators?

1. Plant Native Flowers!

Native plants are plants that were in the region before Europeans colonized the land. Some great native choices for your pollinator garden are milkweed, wild bergamot, coneflower, butterfly weed, sunflower, and bee balm.

2. Create Habitats for Nesting Bees!

You can grow plants with hollow stems such as elderberry and hydrangea. Install beehouses or provide undisturbed areas such as logs, brush piles, and dead stems. You can leave an area undisturbed or make sandy areas for them, as they like to burrow. Additionally, in the fall and winter, leave dead leaves and plants instead of gathering them for pollinators to use as shelter.

3. Avoid Pesticides!

Bees pick up harmful substances on plants that have pesticides applied on them and they take them back to their nest. Instead, you can allow other insects, such as ladybugs, praying mantises, and wasps, into your garden. These insects are natural predators that will keep pesky bugs away.

4. Go Organic!

Choose organic food to eat and organic seeds to plant in your garden.  The ecosystems that organic farms provide are incredible home for bees and butterflies. 

5. Stay Educated!

The most important step to providing a better world for pollinators to thrive is to educate yourself and others on how to protect them!