Wisconsinites encouraged to help pollinators

WISCONSIN – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is encouraging Wisconsinites to help native pollinators by following a few simple lawn care habits, volunteering and supporting the Endangered Resources Fund.

“Most of Wisconsin's pollinators are bees (Wisconsin has over 400 native species, including 21 bumble bee species), butterflies and moths,” the DNR said in a release. “Wisconsin's pollinators also include hummingbirds and some beetles and flies. These animals and other pollinators visit flowering plants and transfer pollen from flower to flower. Pollinators help plants grow fruits and seeds and encourage genetic diversity.”

“Wisconsin is an important part of the remaining habitat for the federally endangered rusty patched bumble bee, and we’re the state with the largest remaining population of Karner blue butterflies,” said Jay Watson, DNR Insect Ecologist. “Between these two rare insects and the hundreds of other pollinators in Wisconsin, caring for natural areas and our lawns and gardens can help. Whether you become a volunteer or practice lawn care that’s free from pesticides, there are small ways anyone can help.”

In addition to supporting rare pollinators, flowering plants provide food to common pollinators, other insects, people and wildlife, the DNR noted. They also support healthy ecosystems that clean the air and stabilize soil. Despite the importance of native pollinators, many are facing population declines.

The DNR provided the following ways Wisconsinites can help pollinators:

• Plant native plants and trees. Early blooming trees are an important food source for bumble bee queens emerging from hibernation and many other insects, which in turn provide food for birds and bats. Flowers that bloom throughout the growing season, like columbine, bee balm and goldenrod, fill your garden with colors for months while providing food to pollinators.
• Add host plants for butterfly larvae. Many butterflies depend on specific plants for their lifecycles, like milkweeds (monarchs), violets (meadow fritillary) or dill, fennel and parsley (black swallowtails). If you live in the Karner's native range, consider planting their only host plant, native wild lupine (Lupinus perennis).
• Provide shelter. Pollinators need safe places to rest, avoid bad weather and spend the winter. You can maintain brush and leaf piles, and avoid trimming hollow-stemmed plants through the winter.
• Maintain a yard free from pesticides and herbicides. Insecticides can harm or kill pollinators, and herbicides can kill the plants they need to survive.

Wisconsin residents may also become trained volunteers with the Wisconsin Bumble Bee Brigade, Wisconsin Karner Blue Butterfly Volunteer Monitoring Program or Monarch Larva Monitoring Project; show off their love of Wisconsin’s pollinators with new rusty patched bumble bee or Karner blue butterfly merch; and support pollinator conservation efforts with a donation to the Endangered Resources Fund.