What You Can Do to Protect Pollinators

Pollination occurs in habitats that support and provide for both the pollinator and the plants that they pollinate. Any piece of land from a small urban backyard to large tracks f wilderness can contribute to the mosaic of habitats. Whatever the area of land under your care, there are several easy things you can do to help protect pollinators and sustain pollination services.

• Create your own pollinator-friendly garden and encourage the planting of native flowers in parks and greenspace.

  One of the easiest (and most rewarding) ways to provide suitable habitat for pollinators is to plant a wide variety of locally native flowering plants in your garden. Beyond your own backyard, you'll find many other places where pollinator habitats can be restored or protected. Through community or school gardening programs, you can encourage the planting of native flowers in local spaces such as parks, playgrounds, roadways, golf courses, and around public buildings.

  To learn more about the native flowering plants in your community, contact:

  • MD Local Native Plant Society
  • VA Local Native Plant Society
  • Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (512) 292-4100

  For useful information on how to improve pollinator and other wildlife habitats in your yard and community, contact:

  • Natural Resources Conservation Service's Backyard Conservation Program (888) LANDCARE
  • National Wildlife Federation's Backyard Habitat Program (800) 822-9919
  • The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation (503) 232-6639

• Build artificial shelters and provide egg-laying sites for pollinators

  A key to developing a successful pollinator habitat is to provide food, water, and shelter, and most importantly a place for pollinators to lay their eggs. Whether in your garden or a local greenspace, you can complement your pollinator-friendly garden with caterpillar host plants for butterflies, nesting blocks for solitary bees, or bird and bat houses. For more information about how to build shelters, contact:

  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Bird Pamphlets
  • Operation Ruby Throat
  • Natural Resources Conservation Service: Backyard Conservation Program
  • National Wildlife Federation; Backyard Habitat Program
  • The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation

• Reduce the level of pesticides in and around your home

  Pesticides for use on lawns, flowers, or indoors are found in most homes. Yet, there are many ways to ward off unwanted insects without endangering pollinators. To learn more, contact:

  • Pesticide Action Network; Pesticide Advisor 415) 981-1771
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Division of Environmental Quality (800) 344-WILD
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program, (703) 305-6231
  • MD Integrated Pest Management Program
  • Pesticides and Safe Alternatives

• Support agricultural enterprises with pollinator-friendly practices

  Reward sound environmental efforts by supporting local, national, and international farms that use less-damaging agricultural methods. Shop at one of our local farmers markets, join a Community Supported Agriculture program, or buy organic products. For more information and to locate environmentally sound producers and products, link to:

  • U.S. Department of Agriculture; Agriculture Marketing Service, Farmers Markets
  • Alternative Farming Systems Information Center; Community Supported Agriculture Farms Database

Adapted from the Ecological Society of America, Communicating Ecosystem Services Pollination Toolkit.