Your $25 gift puts FIVE plants in the ground to save pollinators and show your support as a Pollinator Protector!

For the eighth consecutive year, the Endangered Species Coalition is organizing plantings at sites around the United States to help bring these plants–and pollinators–back.

Can you support this work? $25 will cover all of the costs to put FIVE plants in the ground. Your donation of $50 will mean that ten plants that are not there today, will be soon.

It is crucial to the health of pollinators that these plants be local, native species. In the weeks and months ahead, your donation will be used to purchase native plants from local nurseries and seed distributors. Milkweed and other native nectar and host plants will be planted to support the conservation of monarch butterflies and other native pollinators, including bees, birds, bats, and others.We will support our planting partners with necessary supplies and materials to realize these projects Please support our Pollinator Protectors campaign with a gift of $25 or any amount today.

Support the Pollinator Protectors

This year, planting sites range from Oregon to Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington DC and other US states. The incredible work you support not only achieves the direct impact of providing needed plants for bats, bees, butterflies, and birds, it is done in collaboration with local communities who care about native plants and pollinators. Being a Pollinator Protector means empowering people to transform local spaces for community well-being and the health of native pollinators.  

Putting your hands into the earth and bringing a plant into the world is among the most rewarding and educational ways for new conservationists to save species. Seeing seeds or plugs become plants that attract pollinators is an immediate reward and encourages future acts of service. Please support our Pollinator Protectors campaign by funding a single plant or an entire garden with a tax-deductible donation today.

Thank you for your commitment to wildlife and wild places.

Sincerely,

Susan Holmes
Executive Director
Endangered Species Coalition
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PS. Links not working? Please support the Pollinator Protectors at this URL: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/2024planting

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By Sharon Selvaggi, Xerces Society

Do you love to shop for plants? Then you may know that nurseries are crucial allies in the quest to expand pollinator habitat. After all, these are the businesses who grow what we plant in our yards and parks. Their decisions and skills greatly influence whether pollinators can access high-quality forage in gardens, parks and restoration areas—and whether that forage is free of harmful pesticides.

When gardeners, landscape designers and retailers identify and patronize nurseries who prioritize native plant production and pollinator-safe pest management, they are lending a big helping hand by boosting the ecological health of their communities.

Understanding Your Nursery’s Growing Practices

Finding out whether your nursery grows truly pollinator-safe plants may seem daunting, but it gets easier with practice. 

Over the years, I’ve called and visited many nurseries, starting conversations in a friendly way.  I ask about what they grow, whether they propagate their own plants or source plants from others, what pests they contend with and how they manage them.  I also ask about whether they use neonicotinoids (highly toxic and long-lived insecticides), but I don’t stop there because it’s not that simple. It’s also important (and interesting!) to ask how they monitor the rise and fall of insects and diseases, prevent outbreaks, exercise restraint with all pesticides, and check on the practices of their suppliers.  

This conversation is something anyone can do, even if you don’t know much about nurseries. That’s how I started out. Along the way, I’ve learned a lot about the challenges nurseries face. Heated greenhouses are commonly used, which can facilitate rapid pest outbreaks. The pressure for plants to look perfect is also high—especially if shipments cross state lines. This leads to widespread use of pesticides that linger in the plants. Many of these, not just neonics, pose their own hidden risks.  

Thankfully, across the country, nurseries large and small are innovating, closely observing their systems, and working with nature to keep their plants healthier and minimize toxic inputs. It’s time to share a few of their stories and practices. 

 

At Harlequin’s Gardens, Plants Thrive with Good Soil 

Mikl and Eve Brawner, owners of Harlequin’s Gardens in Boulder, Colorado, believe that if you have a pest problem, first consider your plant culture or nutrition.  At their nursery, every plant is provided with compost tea or a mycorrhizae inoculant. These enhance the growth of beneficial soil fungi, allowing the plants better access to soil nutrients and water, and help suppress diseases. Other supplements include organic fertilizers derived from fish, seaweed, manure, alfalfa, rock dust and humate. 

Harlequin’s also maintains a diversity of flowering plants throughout the nursery to support predators and parasitoids of nursery plant pests. An IPM “threshold” principle guides Harlequin’s pesticide usage: if pests are damaging less than 10% of the plant population, nothing is done, to allow time for native predators to control the pests. When they do use pesticides, Harlequin’s relies mainly on products approved in organic production, such as horticultural oils, insecticidal soaps, and essential oils. The owners also “think upstream”, inquiring about and sourcing only neonic-free plants from their own suppliers.

Offering Pollinator-Safe Butterfly Host Plants at Log House Plants

Thirty years ago, Alice Doyle and Greg Lee, owners of Log House Plants in the foothills of Oregon’s Cascade Mountains, began offering their Butterfly Bed and Breakfast, a collection of the host plants required to support 25 Pacific Northwest native butterfly species. Realizing their conservation importance, Log House stopped using any pesticides in their production of these host plants. 

For more than a decade, Log House has avoided most synthetic pesticides on the rest of their inventory as well—thousands of species of vegetable, herbs, and ornamentals. A weekly scouting program, scrupulous record keeping, and close attention to susceptible crops enables staff to keep a watchful eye on any emerging outbreaks. 

Inside their greenhouses, Log House releases commercially raised predators and parasitoid insects to reduce pests like thrips and aphids. Releases are confined to the greenhouse to reduce the chances that introduced predators and parasitoids could interfere with the local ecosystem. Bigger plants go outdoors, where nearby insectary trees harbor native natural enemies for the crop. Two factors that help Log House keep pesticide use low include relatively rapid turnover of their stock and a diverse assortment of plant species.

Pinelands Nursery Ditched the Neonics and Cut Fungicide Sprays in Half

Starting a native plant podcast was probably a no-brainer for Tom Knezick and Fran Chismar of Pinelands Nursery in Columbus, New Jersey, equipped as they are with decades of experience in the production of native plants of the mid-Atlantic. That, combined with their natural curiosity and adaptability, made the podcast a great fit. 

Adaptability also shows up in their nursery practices. For example, after learning that fungicides could harm pollinators, Pinelands cut their fungicide sprays in half. Other adjustments made over the years include giving up neonics and avoiding pesticide applications while flowers are in bloom. Pinelands has dedicated part of their nursery area to a wetland site with specialist species. This area provides seed, while simultaneously attracting native beneficial insects.

Talk to Your Nursery

Nursery practices matter. Pollinators need plants free of harmful pesticides. Getting started on a dialogue with your nursery to learn if they employ safer pest management practices is easy. A few simple questions can start a conversations. We also have resources for going deeper. Let us know how the conversation goes!

Resources

• Buying Bee-Safe Plants (Xerces Society guide to asking nurseries about their pest management practices)
• Offering Bee-Safe Plants: A Guide for Nurseries (Xerces Society guide to principles and indicators of pollinator-friendly plant production)
• Pollinator-Friendly Native Plant Lists (Xerces Society guides to pollinator-attractive native plants)
• Bee-Safe Nursery Plants (Tell us about your nursery outreach and we’ll add it to the map!)

The post Allies in Conservation: Nurseries Practicing Pollinator-Safe Pest Management appeared first on Endangered Species Coalition.

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Help save bees, butterflies, and other pollinators with your year-end gift today and it will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to our goal of $125,000!

Bees and other pollinators are critical to our health and the health of the natural world. In fact, 75 percent of the world’s crops depend on pollinators. Without them, we do not eat. And nearly 9 out of 10 wild-flowering plants rely on pollinators.

But these important creatures face threats from habitat loss, toxic herbicides, and climate change. Just like me, I’m sure you don’t want to imagine a world without bees. But without action, we are on the path to losing our native bees.

We work on multiple fronts to save pollinators and other endangered species. Through our Pollinator Protectors campaign, we partner with local community organizations to plant pollinator habitats around the country. These habitats help sustain pollinators and bring new activists into the movement. Simultaneously, we work in Washington, D.C. to advocate directly with decision-makers in support of protections to prevent an insect apocalypse.

Planting new pollinator habitats and finally reigning in the use of deadly and toxic herbicides can save native butterflies, bees, and more. Please join us in this fight with your end-of-year gift today and it will be matched up to our goal of $125,000 for 2023.

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To understand why we need the little bumblebee, we need to understand how it helps us and why it is in danger. If the bee faces extinction, then the planet risks losing a great variety of foodstuffs.

We enjoy the beautiful flowers in our gardens but most of them need to be pollinated to survive. Without pollination, the plants would not be able to reproduce.

The recent decline in the number of pollinators is a sad fact in itself.

But did you know that bees actually pollinate about a sixth of the world’s crops, or around 400 of the agricultural plants we harvest?

According to the the US Fish and Wildlife Service that these insects contributed to the production of around nineteen billion dollars worth of foodstuffs in 2010 in the US alone.

This figure illuminates the true scale of this problem:

It amounts to about a third of all the food we eat.

Saying that there is a problem here is an understatement. But there are things that you can do to help. Read more…

The post The Buzz About Bees: Why Do We Need Them? appeared first on Endangered Species Coalition.

and Jeanne Dodds, ESC Creative Engagement Director

–

Growing up in Idaho, I recall late afternoons watching Monarch butterflies winging through the garden, their orange patterning matching the striking summer light as they flew through the yard. It was thrilling and awe inspiring to observe a tiny part of their long journey. I knew that Monarchs were the state insect of Idaho and connected with these beautiful butterflies as a symbol of home. Over the years, visits by Monarchs grew fewer and fewer until, in past seasons, people in Idaho and other Western states describe whole summers passing by without seeing a single Monarch. 

We know that Western Monarchs are in a state of crisis. Recent studies including those reflected in Xerces Society Western Monarch Call to Action indicate that since the 1980’s, Western Monarch populations have declined precipitously, falling by over 99%. Among the factors contributing to Monarch declines are the loss of milkweed habitat and the planting of non-native, tropical milkweed.  Monarchs are an iconic species and a beneficial pollinator; urgent actions are required to ensure the survival of this species.

The Endangered Species Coalition’s Pollinator Protectors project emphasizes the use of native milkweed and native nectaring plants for planting projects across the United States. We focus on partnering with local native plant nurseries to source plant materials providing the greatest benefit to Monarchs and other pollinators. One native plant nursery, Draggin’ Wing High Desert Nursery in Boise Idaho, has partnered with ESC since 2016 to provide plant material for habitat restoration at water catchment sites managed by the Ada County Highway District. I had the opportunity to have a conversation with Diane Jones, owner of Draggin’ Wing High Desert Nursery to explore the significance of native plants for Monarch conservation.

Jeanne Dodds Why is propagating and planting native plants important?

Diane Jones One important reason is to help stop the decline of insect populations by creating habitat that supports the native insects which have co-evolved with these plants over millennia. Beyond that, I think that working with native plants can be an educational experience that heightens our appreciation for the natural landscape of our region. When people understand and appreciate the environment they are more likely to protect it.

JD How does the process of wild milkweed seed collection and propagation benefit Monarch butterflies and other species? 

DJ Monarch butterflies co-evolved with Milkweed to the point that their caterpillars are entirely dependent on the leaves of Milkweed plants for food as they grow. Monarchs lay their eggs only on Milkweeds. But in addition, the flowers of Milkweed plants provide nectar and pollen for a wide variety of bees, butterflies and other insects, so their ecological benefits go well beyond supporting Monarchs.

JD How does your nursery raise the profile of native plants and encourage people to grow native species for pollinator conservation? 

DJ We plant out all of our native species in display gardens so that people can see for themselves what these plants look like and how they can function in a home landscape. Our hope is that these gardens can serve as an inspiration for folks to re-imagine what a home garden can be. As our gardens have matured over the years they have become a haven for a wide variety of pollinators and visitors can see this. We also offer encouragement and advice based on our years of experience working with native plants. 

JD Do you have any observations to share regarding the presence or absence of Monarchs in Idaho?

DJ It has been very discouraging lately, as Monarch sightings in our area are few and far between. At the same time, more and more people are planting Milkweeds, so there is some hope that if Monarchs start to return, they will be able to find places to lay their eggs. 

To learn more about Draggin’ Wing High Desert Nursery, including native plants and resources for pollinator conservation, visit https://waterthriftyplants.com/

Interested in becoming a participating planting site for the Endangered Species Coalition’s Pollinator Protectors Project? Contact Jeanne Dodds, ESC Creative Engagement Director jdodds@endangered.org

Help ESC plant native milkweed and native nectaring plants for Monarch butterflies and other pollinators by making a donation.

The post Native Milkweed for Monarch Conservation appeared first on Endangered Species Coalition.

Coauthored by: Jeanne Dodds, ESC Creative Engagement Director and Heidi Tamm, Nez Perce National Historical Park

What is a Pollinator Protector habitat? It is a space, small or large, dedicated to plantings of native plants supporting pollinators. Thoughtfully selected and locally sourced plants provide food sources for pollinators who in turn provide the essential service of pollination. Pollinator Protectors gardens provide habitat in space where plants that pollinators require may be absent, such as urban areas with limited green space, areas covered by lawns, or locations where appropriate plants once thrived but have been extirpated. Pollinator Protectors gardens renew and support habitat for native species.

One of the Pollinator Protectors sites that the Endangered Species Coalition works with is the Nez Perce National Historical Park in Spaulding, Idaho. The area immediately surrounding the visitor center at Nez Perce National Historical Park was historically all manicured turf grass. To reduce the amount of watering and maintenance required in these areas, Natural Resource staff converted one of the grassy areas into a pollinator garden. Staff researched a variety of native species most suitable to plant, i.e. those that are drought tolerant and self-sufficient. Over twenty-five species were chosen and with the help of volunteers on National Public Lands Day in 2016 and 2017, plants were out planted into the garden. Since then, the plants have grown quite nicely and attracted a variety of pollinator species. The garden has also attracted the attention of many visitors. Thus, an effort has been placed on using the pollinator garden as a tool to promote awareness of the importance of planting species beneficial to pollinators. Another focus is to maintain the pollinator garden long-term so it continues providing habitat for pollinators in our area.

Nez Perce National Historical Park is just one of the fifteen sites nationally that ESC partnered with for our fall 2018 planting cycle. To create these relationships, ESC provides small grants to planting sites; in turn these locations consult with state native plant societies for plant and nursery recommendations. ESC is growing this effort, developing educational materials and building new partnerships. We envision this work expanding and deepening in 2019 and the years ahead. We invite you to contact us if you are interested in participating in the Pollinator Protectors project as a planting site, funder or other partner.

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Climate change has had a profound effect on the Earth’s weather. Climate change has impacted the natural rhythms of weather, the behavior of animals, and the blooming of flowers. One of the most impacted populations by climate change are pollinators who are facing unprecedented difficulties as they struggle to survive.

First of all, what is climate change?

Climate is the long-term weather averages, as opposed to weather which is the short-term observances of the local climate over hours and weeks. Climate is far more difficult for people to understand as climate data is tracked over years, decades, and centuries. Therefore, climate change is observed drastic changes from the norm in the world’s weather patterns during a long period of time. Scientists are able to compare one area’s summer to a summer decades before in the same area and are able to determine whether it was drier or wetter than average. Climate change has more drastic effects that can be immediately observed; for example, hurricanes like Hurricane Harvey that occurred in late summer 2017 was fueled by warmer waters and, consequently, was more destructive than hurricanes in the past.

Humans all over the world have been drastically impacted by climate change as the weather during the seasons has become more extreme than it has been in the past. In some areas, summer has become drier and hotter, and in other areas winter is lasting longer with far more storms and blizzards. Humans have struggled to adapt to these changes as the violent unpredictable weather has become more common than it has in the past.

If a more adaptable and resilient species like human beings are having difficulty adapting to climate change, it becomes far more understandable why a more fragile group such as pollinators are having immense difficulty coping and surviving.

Impact on Bee Populations

Bees, in particular, are facing the danger of a phenomenon called colony collapse disorder (CCD). A paper from Oregon State University explains CCD: “CCD most likely stems from a combination of problems associated with agricultural beekeeping, including pathogens, nutritional deficiencies and lack of a varied diet, exposure to neonicotinoid insecticides and other pesticides, lack of genetic diversity, habitat loss, and transportation stress. Pesticides, stress, and lack of diversity can actually exacerbate the vulnerability of bees to pathogens.” Habitat loss, nutritional deficiencies, and lack of varied diet are tied directly to climate change as the abnormal climate is impacting the growth of plants and flowers. Climate change is making flowers bloom half a day earlier each year, which means that plants are now blooming a month earlier than 45 years ago. Plants blooming earlier ultimately means that they do not get pollinated and bees are left without food.

As bee colonies continue to be affected by CCD, humans will continue to see the impact of CCD on their plants and crops. The website GreenLivingIdeas states, “NEEF reports that about 1,000 plants we depend on for food and products need to be pollinated by animals, including coffee, tasty snacks like melon, chocolate and almonds, and even tequila.” According to the website, 75% plants in our yards depend on insects and animals to pollinate them, and bees in particular “add more than $15 billion in value to US agricultural crops each year through pollination.” If this dire trend of CCD continues, humans will face severe food shortages and grave economic consequences, not to mention the tragic ramification of bees becoming extinct.

Impact on Hummingbird Populations

Other pollinators besides bee populations are being affected by climate change as well. Four species of hummingbirds in North America at risk because of the rising temperatures: Allen’s Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Calliope Hummingbird, and Rufous Hummingbird. The increasing warmer temperature is forcing these four species to abandon their native areas for more cooler and stable environments. Intense heat is incredibly dangerous for hummingbirds as it forces them to find shade to cool off rather than feed on nectar, which consequently means that they could starve since their high metabolism demands that they constantly need to eat.

Impact on Bat Populations

Bats are yet another species of pollinators that are affected by the changing climate. The warmer weather impacts their hibernation cycles and their prey availability, which directly affect how successfully a mother bat can give birth and raise her young. According to National Geographic, climate change is also impacting their ultrasonic hearing: “bats living in temperate zones were more likely to lose prey detection volume, while in tropic zones, many bat species will actually be able to detect more prey. Bats calling at lower pitches generally gained prey detection space” because humidity and temperature directly impact how effectively bats can detect their prey.

What You Can do to Help Pollinators

• Plant a variety of pollinator friendly flowers and plants that are native to your climate.
• Stop or limit the use of pesticides on your property – pesticides are toxic to pollinators.
• Create a habitat that is friendly to bees. This means either placing beehives on your property, leaving dead logs around that bees can nest in, and simply ensuring bees have plenty of bee-friendly plants to feed from in your yard.
• Providing nectar for hummingbirds on your property. You can do this by buying a feeder for hummingbirds and filling it with sugar water.
• Placing a bat house on your property. This will provide bats a safe place to sleep during the day.
• Plant milkweed plants – Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on the leaves and feed on the nectar of the flowers.

Kylie Johnson is the editor at Green & Growing. She enjoy the outdoors, especially when she can go on a fun hike or adventure. She likes to focus on the perks green living. She feels it is so important to take care of our earth and hope to spread more awareness as she edits and writes.

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