Celebrate Pollinator Week June 19-25, 2023
National Pollinator Week is a time to celebrate pollinators and spread the word about what you can do to protect them.
Fifteen years ago the U.S. Senate’s unanimous approval and designation of a week in June as “National Pollinator Week” marked a necessary step toward addressing the urgent issue of declining pollinator populations. Pollinator Week has now grown into an international celebration of the valuable ecosystem services provided by bees, birds, butterflies, bats, and beetles. Pollinator Week was initiated and is managed by Pollinator Partnership.
Milkweed and Monarchs
Monarch butterflies have been in sharp decline since the 1990s due to the loss of milkweed (Monarch caterpillars eat only milkweed,) pesticides, changing weather patterns, and overwintering habitat loss.
Monarchs have lost 165 million acres of breeding habitat in the U.S. alone, so there is still more work to do to keep them from being considered endangered.
Home gardeners can help, too! Plant milkweed that is native to your area. Include native plants in the landscape to supply quality food for other pollinators. Minimize pesticide use, instead, look for garden pests regularly, dispose of them, and build a habitat that invites predatory insects.
Become a citizen scientist and share your observations, helping scientists get a fuller picture of the monarch population
Pollinator Palette
- Lavender, sublime fragrance, and color all in a low water use “package”
- Herbs especially when they go to seed, including Mint, Parsley, Cilantro, Oregano, Dill
- Daisies add a bit of cheer! Shasta, African, Marguerites, Black-eyed Susans, and Coneflowers span the color spectrum
- Summer Annuals, Marigolds, Petunias, Portulaca, Zinnias
- Buddleia, Butterfly Bush’s purple flower spikes are a must have for bringing in its namesake
- Asclepias, Butterfly Weed is in its full glory now and supporting our fluttering friends
