The Ridges Sanctuary

Preservation, Education, and Research

Pollinators

The Ridges is celebrating National Pollinator Week! Protecting pollinators is a necessary part of protecting The Ridges’ native habitat. In 2017, we planted pollinator gardens in the front of our nature center. These gardens provide a food source and habitat for pollinator species in our ecosystem, including bees, butterflies, flies, ants, hummingbirds, bats, and insects.  

Pollinators are a critical part of the agricultural industry, providing pollination of crops. It’s estimated that they earn the agricultural industry over 200 billion dollars annually (Gallai, Salles, Settele, Vaissiere 2009)! They also help the populations of native plants that they pollinate reproduce, having a positive impact on their ecosystem.  

Planting a pollinator garden in your backyard can have a positive impact on pollinator species in your area, whether you live in the city, suburbs, or in a rural area (Matteson, Ascher, Langelloto 2008, Baldock et al., 2019). This week at The Ridges, we’ll have a table out in our exhibit with resources for helping pollinators thrive in your local habitat. We’ll also be highlighting items from our Nature Store that focus on pollinators! 

 

For resources on why pollinators are important and how you can help, click the links below.  

 

Learn  more about pollinators: 

https://www.pollinator.org/pollinators 

https://www.xerces.org/pollinator-conservation 

https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/PollinatorProtection.aspx 

https://www.fragrancex.com/fragrance-information/creating-pollinator-gardens-flower-fragrances-to-attract-pollinators.html

https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/endangeredresources/pollinators.html 

Grow your own pollinator garden: 

https://www.pollinator.org/guides 

https://www.xerces.org/publications/plant-lists 

 


Baldock, Katherine CR, Mark A. Goddard, Damien M. Hicks, William E. Kunin, Nadine Mitschunas, Helen Morse, Lynne M. Osgathorpe et al. "A systems approach reveals urban pollinator hotspots and conservation opportunities." Nature ecology & evolution 3, no. 3 (2019): 363-373. 

Gallai, Nicola, Jean-Michel Salles, Josef Settele, and Bernard E. Vaissière. "Economic valuation of the vulnerability of world agriculture confronted with pollinator decline." Ecological economics 68, no. 3 (2009): 810-821. 

Matteson, Kevin C., John S. Ascher, and Gail A. Langellotto. "Bee richness and abundance in New York City urban gardens." Annals of the Entomological Society of America 101, no. 1 (2008): 140-150.