(Madison) The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is encouraging Wisconsinites to help native pollinators throughout the summer and fall.
A pollinator is any animal that visits flowering plants and transfers pollen from flower to flower, which helps plants grow fruits and seeds. Most of the state’s pollinators are bees, butterflies and moths.
\Wisconsin’s pollinators also include hummingbirds and some beetles and flies. DNR Insect Ecologist Jay Watson says there is a special connection between our native pollinators and the natural areas that make Wisconsin unique.
He adds that the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly and the rusty patch bumble bee are more abundant in Wisconsin than many other parts of the country. In addition to supporting rare pollinators, flowering plants provide food to common pollinators, other insects, people and wildlife.
Some tips for Wisconsin gardeners looking to help pollinators include planting native plants and trees. Early blooming trees are important food sources for bumble bee queens emerging from hibernation and many other insects, which in turn provide food for bees and bats. Links to more information are below.
Volunteer And Support Opportunities
- Become a trained volunteer with the Wisconsin Bumble Bee Brigade, Wisconsin Karner Volunteer Monitoring Program or Monarch Larva Monitoring Project.
- Sign up for the State Natural Areas Volunteer Program. Volunteers clear brush, remove invasive species and collect native seeds.
- Support pollinator conservation efforts with a donation to the Endangered Resources Fund.
