Protecting flower-loving bees, butterflies
Protecting pollinators might be just what the doctor ordered for good health
People who protect pollinator habitats can help to assist in the production of nutrientdense crops.
People who engage in pollinator-friendly activities and protect pollinator habitats can help to assist in the production of nutrientdense crops.
And vegetables play a major role when it comes to getting necessary vitamins everyday, but before people can consume many of these foods, pollinators must first help them to grow.
Why pollinators are important
“About one mouthful in three in our diet directly or indirectly benefits from honeybee pollination,” stated the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service website.
The website went on to explain that the production of several crops depends on honeybee pollination, such as almonds, berries, fruits and vegetables. These are the kinds of foods often recommended by doctors and dietitians to add more nutrition to diets.
About two-thirds of the crops that humans consume result from pollination, which allows for a wider variety and better quality produce, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
A lesson on pollination
“Pollinators are animals that fertilize plants, resulting in the formation of seeds and the fruit surrounding seeds,” stated the Pennsylvania State University Department of Entomology website.
Pollinators visit different flowers for their nectar and pollen them in the process help plants to reproduce.
Sarah Crothers is the education coordinator for the Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area. As part of the organization’s Schuylkill Explorers educational program, she teaches children about pollination and their importance to the natural environment.
Crothers, along with several Schuylkill River Greenways’ staff and volunteers, planted a pollinator garden at Pottstown Riverfront Park last year. The garden is currently filled with blooming native plants that attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
“Pollinators fly from plant to plant and pick up the pollen on the male parts of the plant then bring it to the female parts of the plant which results in fertilization,” Crothers said.
She said children usually realize that bees and butterflies are pollinators, but are often shocked to learn about some of the other types of pollinators that exist.
“I get to surprise them with the other pollinators that we don’t always talk about, which are beetles, hummingbirds, bats, moths and even flies.”
The decline of pollinators
Healthy pollinators equal a healthy production of several crops that lead to food security, but if there is a decline in pollinators then this can negatively impact food production.
The pollinator population has been decreasing for a variety of reasons. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has a list of 40 pollinators that are considered threatened or endangered.
One of the most noticeable pollinator population declines are bees.
“The number of managed honeybee colonies in the U.S. dropped from roughly 6 million in 1947 to less than 2.5 million today,” stated the American Beekeeping Federation website.
In 2006, beekeepers stared to notice a significant loss in worker bees leaving only the queen and immature bees remaining in the hive. A hive is unstainable without worker bees. The loss is known as the Colony Collapse Disorder. The United States Environmental Protection Agency reported that the Colony Collapse Disorder hasn’t been as much of an issue in recent years, but losses of the bee population still remain high.
The agency stated some of the contributing factors to the declining bee population include invasive pests harmful to bees, diseases, pesticide poisoning, habitat changes and poor nutrition.
Operation pollination
The continuing decline of pollinators has led many organizations and groups to promote pollinator-friendly activities.
“The decline of the bee population triggered the National Park Service to start a program called Operation Pollination. Since we are a National Heritage Area we are affiliated with the National Park Service,” Crothers said.
National Heritage Areas across the country are partnering with National Parks on an initiative to protect, enhance and restore pollinator habitats.
As part of the initiative, Crothers created a pollinator resolution that she will send out to area groups, organizations and municipalities along with recommendations on how to help the declining pollinator population. Some of her recommended pollinatorfriendly activities are listed below.
• Grow more native plants versus exotic species to help the local area’s natural ecosystem. This can be done by creating a pollinator garden oasis or just landscaping your home with some native plant options. Some examples are milkweed, the cardinal flower, the New England Aster and Phlox flower. These plants can often be found in local nurseries. “You want to have early-, mid- and late-season blooming native flowers,” Crothers said. “You want to have a variety of bloom times and a variety of colors because different colors attract different pollinators.”
• Don’t weed your gardens until it’s very warm outdoors, near the end of spring. “Pollinators like the brush and often live under leaves and dead grasses,” Crothers said.
• Decrease the use of pesticides, which is one of the main causes of the pollinator population decline. Crothers said there are several natural ways to reduce pests including using the natural deterrent Diatomaceous Earth and using vinegar to kill weeds.
• Provide pollinator nesting sites. Many pollinators and birds like old, dead trees to live in. If a dead or dying tree isn’t in a danger zone then consider leaving it so pollinators can use it as their home. Even pieces of wood lying on the ground can be used as a nesting area for pollinators.
• Pollinators need water just like other species, so have some type of bird bath or water source available.
Get your pollinator garden certified
“The Penn State Extension has a pollinator garden certification program and it’s a really great resource. They have lots of information on how to create a very strong habitat for pollinators,” Crothers said.
People can get their pollinator garden certified by sending an application to Penn State Master Gardeners with a $10 application fee. Those that qualify receive a certificate and have the option to purchase the Penn State Master Gardener Pollinator Friendly Garden sign for $30. The money will help support the education of why pollinator habitats are important. For more information about the certification program, visit ento.psu.edu/ pollinators/public-outreach/cert.
For more information about the Schuylkill Explorers program and other educational opportunities offered through Schuylkill River Greenways, visit schuylkillriver. org/programs-projects/education/.
“Pollinators fly from plant to plant and pick up the pollen on the male parts of the plant then bring it to the female parts of the plant which results in fertilization.”
— Sarah Crothers, Schuylkill River Greenways education coordinator