Pollinators and You

Can you recall the days of sun and leisure in your gardens during the summer? Have you been left with the impression that the hum of honeybees and the beauty of a floating monarchs are happening with less frequency? You are not alone. It is a fact that our native pollinators are in decline nationally and worldwide. Pollinators are in need of our help to maintain and create a biodiverse habitat in which they can thrive. Approximately 1/3 of our food is dependent on pollination. This is an effort that goes well beyond protecting a species. It involves ensuring a food supply and protecting a way of life. You can make a difference and participate in statewide initiatives to protect our pollinators, our land and ultimately our own well-being.

Milkweed sp. Attracts bumblebees, insects, and butterflies, and is a host plant for the monarch butterfly • Blooms in summer and early fall         Photo by Teune at the English language Wikipedia

Stony Brook’s efforts to protect the biodiversity of open space and the pollinators who inhabit it have been on-going and typically volunteer centric. Over 3 years ago, for example, The Garden Club of Norfolk adopted and nurtured a variety of plantings at Stony Brook’s once overgrown and ineffective Butterfly Garden. As a means to attract our native butterfly populations, Club members incorporated many plantings within the garden that are both a caterpillar host and butterfly nectar source. Every week from early spring until late fall, the gardeners meet in the Butterfly Garden to weed, water and prune the plantings always looking for additional volunteers. Their efforts have been recognized with awards and grants from many organizations such as Massachusetts Gardener Association, New England Region of State Garden Clubs and the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts. Stony Brook’s Butterfly Garden is also an official Monarch Waystation and Certified Butterfly Garden by the North American Butterfly Association.

Hummingbird Moth

Future plans for increasing biodiversity at Stony Brook include establishing a field of native plantings and improving established gardens to provide habitats for our pollinators and native wildlife. Continuing the removal of invasive and exotic plantings are also an important steps towards creating a diverse habitat. What can you do to protect and restore pollinators and their habitats? Start by choosing plants in your yard that attract pollinators. Research our native bee populations and how you might be able to create a bee home. Fill out an application and join the Stony Brook volunteer team.  We believe our efforts, no matter how small, are making a difference. It all starts with one simple step towards a common goal.  Hope to see you at Stony Brook!

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