Ten years ago, U.S. senators unanimously voted for a week in June to be designated ‘Pollinator Week,’ in order to promote awareness about declining pollinator populations. Pollinator Week has since grown into an international celebration of the valuable ecosystem services provided by local populations of bees, birds, and other pollinators (see Pollinator Partnership for more information). This week arrives just as we are being hit with hot, humid days here in Poughkeepsie, and are reminded about all of the ecosystem services our local pollinators provide!
We will be celebrating pollinators all week long at the Environmental Cooperative, June 19th – 25th. Check our Instagram page for daily postings of pollinator-friendly plants that you can put in your garden space or yard – or even along a sidewalk – to attract pollinators and beautify the city. At the end of the week, come to the Environmental Cooperative for a workshop on building bird and bee houses! We will have all of the materials for you to make a home for the pollinators that provide us with benefits all year long.
Who are these pollinators, exactly, and what do they do? ‘Pollination’ is the transfer of pollen grains to fertilize seed-producing ovaries of flowers, an essential part of a healthy ecosystem. Bees are the most common pollinators, but the group also includes birds, butterflies, bats, and beetles (oh my!). Successful pollination, which may require visits by multiple pollinators to a single flower, results in healthy fruit and fertile seeds, allowing plants to reproduce. Without pollinators, we simply wouldn’t have many crops, beautiful flowers, or delicious treats.
There are many ways that you can support and celebrate pollinators June 16th – 25th and beyond.
1) Get connected with nature. Take a walk, experience the landscape and look for pollinators midday in sunny, planted areas.
2) Reduce your impact. Reduce or eliminate your pesticide use, increase green spaces, and minimize urbanization. Pollution and climate change affect pollinators, too! Plant for pollinators.
3) Create pollinator-friendly habitat with native flowering plants that supply pollinators with nectar, pollen, and homes.
We look forward to celebrating pollinator week with you here at the Environmental Cooperative! Join the ‘Birds and Bees’ House-building workshop, and head to the Vassar Farm and Ecological Preserve to see if you can spot native, pollinator-friendly plants and the animals they support.