Doing Good
How to Support Pollinators This Earth Day
Simple Ways to Support Pollinators This Earth Day
Conservation icons such as the giant panda and Bengal tiger have been successful in rallying the support of animal lovers around the globe. Although these keystone species play a crucial role in the health of their ecosystem, smaller, less conspicuous pollinators are just as important–and many are endangered.
Bees, butterflies, moths, birds, and even bats are all pollinators, and help fertilize plants, sustaining a healthy and biodiverse ecosystem. They also play a key role in agriculture, responsible for up to one in every three bites of food we eat. But the impact of habitat loss, agricultural insecticides, and climate change means 40 percent of invertebrate pollinator species like bees and butterflies are now facing extinction in the near future.
Luckily, there is a lot we can do as individuals to help protect pollinators. This Earth Day, consider committing to one or two simple ways you can create an environment that allows these small but mighty creatures to flourish. Below, you’ll find some of our favorite tips.
Buy organic
Pesticides used in conventional farming have been linked to declining pollinator populations, including butterflies and bees. Organic farming regulations, in contrast, prohibit the use of these toxic pesticides, which are as bad for you as they are for the bees. Many organic farms are also managed in a way that improves soil health–which helps sequester carbon, creating a healthier overall ecosystem–and boosts food sources for the insects. While it may not be within reach to buy solely organic fruits and vegetables, even making a switch for a handful of staples that are part of the dirty dozen can make an impact.
Plant a pollinator garden
You don’t need a sprawling backyard to create an oasis for pollinators, even a small patio or balcony space is enough. These tiny creatures depend on native plants specific to the region you live in for food and shelter, so determining your ecoregion and what grows in the wild there is a great place to start when creating a garden. Experts recommend planting a diversity of woody and soft-stemmed flowering plants that bloom in succession throughout the year, so that the pollinators are never left without a food source. Variety in flower shape, size, and colour is also important, including attractants such as blue, purple, yellow, and red.
Create an eco-friendly yard
Perfectly manicured, emerald lawns may look nice, but they aren’t doing pollinators any favors. Leaving dry leaves and other natural debris on the ground creates important habitat for insects in the winter, and birds will pilfer sticks and stems for their springtime nests as well. In addition to avoiding any lawn or garden chemicals, allowing some wildflowers and weeds such as dandelions to grow also attracts pollinating insects. Other elements to think about when creating a yard that provides a healthy habitat is leaving water sources out, such as a fountain or birdbath, and reducing artificial lighting. Light in the evening and early morning can confuse insects and birds, impairing their ability to find food and navigate.
Become a citizen scientist
Helping track pollinator activity can be a fun and engaging way to get hands on with their conservation. Scientists can’t be on the ground constantly collecting data to monitor population health and behavior, making information delivered by everyday people valuable. You can participate in this through apps like iNaturalist, which runs a pollinator watch program in collaboration with Earthwatch, an environmental non-profit. Earthwatch also pairs travelers with scientists on expeditions around the world that help support and educate people about pollinators like bees, while travel companies such as Natural Habitat Adventures run trips that bolster awareness about species such as monarch butterflies.
Be kind to bees
Many bee species are imperiled around the globe, so helping support local bees–and beekeepers–is a no-brainer if you want to help boost pollinator health. Some burrowing bees will build their homes in leaf litter, but you can also try adding a “bee house” to your garden, made from a block of wood with holes drilled into it. If you want to dive deeper with bees, consider taking a beekeeping course and keeping a few hives on your property or a local farm. If you’re limited on time, buying raw, organic honey made by local beekeepers is an easy way to support their work.