Why Pollinators Are Important

Pollinators include insects like bees, flies, beetles, and butterflies and are one of the most vital links in the food chain. Between 75% and 95% of flowering plants rely on pollinators to reproduce.  Birds and bats also play an important role in spreading native seeds and creating sustainable ecosystems. Yet many pollinator populations are declining.

Sponsored by Audubon Society, Capital Region & Wild Ones Capital Region NY

How can you promote and protect native pollinators and seed spreading species?

Create A Pollinator Friendly Garden!

Check out Cornell Cooperative Extension (Monroe’s County) page on creating pollinator-friendly gardens!

Learn more about our native bees and wasps from Heather Holms!

Cornell Ornithology Lab: Project Feeder Watch - Match Birds with the Best Foods for Them

Learn more about Monarch butterflies and join a citizen-science opportunity with Monarch Watch

Hummingbirds are just as important to our ecosystems as butterflies and bees as they are pollinators too! Unfortunately, Hummingbirds are at risk like many other pollinators, due to habitat loss and a lack of nectar filled, native plants. Prairie Nursery has created customizable kits to allow you choose Hummingbird friendly plants of your liking to add to your gardens! Visit their website using the tab below to learn more.

Big Birdie Year: Elevating Women Birders

Tiffany Kersten didn't set out to do a big year, but after a series of unanticipated and serendipitous events, she suddenly found herself amidst one. She spent 2021 traveling to all corners of the Lower 48 States, setting a new record of 726 species in the year. As a survivor of sexual assault, Kersten had a second goal for her big year -- raising awareness about the dangers women face in the outdoors. Join us as Kersten recounts tales of her epic adventure.

Tiffany Kersten is a professional birding guide, and founder of Nature Ninja Birding Tours.

Audubon’s Native Plant Database

Search for bird friendly native plants specific to your ecoregion using Audubon’s native plant database!

Learn about wasps!

Enjoy this presentation by Heather Holms presented by Wild Ones Native Plants, Natural Landscapes!

Recommended Reading

Books

Darke, Rick and Tallamy, Dr. Douglas, The Living Landscape: Designing for Beauty and Biodiversity in the Home Garden

Lawson, Nancy, The Humane Gardener

Leopold, Donald J., Native Plants of the Northeast: A Guide for Gardening & Conservation

Lorimer, Uli, The Northeast Native Plant Primer

McGrath, Anne, Wildflowers of the Adirondacks

Mizejewski, David, Attracting Birds, Butterflies, and Other Backyard Wildlife, Expanded Second Edition (Creative Homeowner) 17 Projects & Step-by-Step Instructions to Give Back to Nature (National Wildlife Federation)

Tallamy, Dr. Douglas, Bringing Nature Home

Tallamy, Dr. Douglas, Nature’s Best Hope

Tallamy, Dr. Douglas, The Nature of Oaks

Sousa, Elle, The Green Garden

Stein, Sara, Noah’s Garden: Restoring the Ecology of Our Own Back Yards

Native Plant Shopping Guide, https://www.hgcny.org/projects/shopping/ (downloadable guide in PDF format)