{"id":34222,"date":"2025-06-16T14:17:16","date_gmt":"2025-06-16T19:17:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/?p=34222"},"modified":"2026-01-29T14:11:37","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T20:11:37","slug":"protecting-your-local-pollinators","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/protecting-your-local-pollinators\/","title":{"rendered":"Protecting your local pollinators"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Happy Pollinator Week, everyone! To celebrate, learn how you can protect your local pollinators in this guest blog by Camila Cruz from Simpson Street Free Press.<\/em><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Insects-Amphibians-Reptiles-Category-Winner-3-_E1A6451-Enhanced-NR.jpg-by-Bruce-Bartel-1.jpg” alt=”a common buckeye butterfly on a yellow plant for protect your local pollinators blog post” title_text=”Insects, Amphibians, & Reptiles Category Winner (3) E1A6451 Enhanced NR.jpg By Bruce Bartel (1)” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

A common buckeye butterfly on a flower, one of NRF’s Photo Contest<\/a> winners from 2024. Photo by Bruce Bartel<\/em><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Supporting your local pollinators<\/h3>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Spring and early summer is a good time to think about helping pollinator species. And you can do this right in your own backyard.<\/p>\n

The Dane County Land and Water Resources Department is encouraging people to act to support our local pollinators. There are several steps you can take that can help. These steps include planting native plants and providing the types of habitats that pollinators need to survive and thrive.<\/p>\n

Student reporters from Simpson Street Free Press<\/a> have been studying and writing about pollinators for several years. These species are essential to our environment because about 87% of flowering plants<\/strong> on Planet Earth depend on pollinators.<\/p>\n

Species like bees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds are considered pollinators. These animals visit flowering plants and move pollen around in an ecosystem, which helps native plants grow and reproduce. One important part of this natural process is that it helps our food supply. About 150 food crops<\/strong> in the U.S. depend on pollinator species to do their work.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Northern-amber-bumble-bee-feeding-on-clover-by-Bruce-Bartel-2024-Photo-Contest-submission.jpg” alt=”a tri-colored bumble bee on a clover, image for protect your local pollinators blog post” title_text=”tri-colored bumble bee Feeding On Clover By Bruce Bartel (2024 Photo Contest Submission)” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

A tri-colored bumble bee on a clover. Photo by Bruce Bartel<\/em><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Create your own pollinator habitat<\/h3>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Among the most important of all the pollinators are bees. Bees purposefully collect pollen as a protein source for their offspring, and this makes bees very efficient pollinators. All of us see bees during the spring and summer, and it\u2019s not too difficult to make their job easier.<\/p>\n

In fact, there is a website available that will help you evaluate your lawn, or any spot at a school or community center. The Wisconsin Online Pollinator Habitat Assessment<\/a> provides information you can use if you want to support pollinator habitat. This website is full of tips and suggestions that will help you explore and evaluate a location. It will help you look at factors like the quality of the foraging habitat, nesting habitat, and insecticide use.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/students-at-McDill-Elementary-planting-in-thier-pollinator-friendly-butterfly-garden-by-Sara-Windjue.jpg” alt=”a young child planting a plant in a garden” title_text=”Students At McDill Elementary Planting In Thier Pollinator Friendly Butterfly Garden By Sara Windjue” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Students help plant a butterfly garden on their school grounds, supported by the Go Outside Fund<\/a>. Photo by Sara Windjue<\/em><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Resources for getting native plants<\/h3>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

One very important way to improve pollinator habitat is to plant the right kind of plants. Here in Dane County, native plants and seeds can be purchased from local and regional plant nurseries that specialize in native plants, as well as the Wisconsin Arboretum<\/a> and Plant Dane<\/a> plant sales. Schools and community groups can apply to receive free native plants from Dane County. There are also several libraries in Dane County that provide free native seeds each fall so community members can plant native seeds at home. Bees and other pollinators transfer pollen from flower to flower, thus aiding plant reproduction. So, these are things you can do in your yard or your neighborhood that will help.<\/p>\n

By learning about and understanding wild bees and other pollinator species, you can help protect our local environments and landscapes.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/native-plant-sale-at-the-UW-Arboretum-by-Jack-Chandler.jpg” alt=”People standing in a long line outside that leads into a tent” title_text=”Native Plant Sale At The UW Arboretum By Jack Chandler” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

People waiting in line outside at the UW-Madison Arboretum native plant sale. Photo by Jack Chandler<\/em><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_team_member name=”Guest Blogger” image_url=”https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Camila-Cruz-Headshot.jpg.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

<\/h4>\n

Camila Cruz<\/h4>\n

Student Journalist, age 16<\/em><\/p>\n

Camila is a staff writer and science reporter at Simpson Street Free Press<\/a> in Dane County.<\/p>[\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

NRF’s support for pollinators<\/h3>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin is proud to support pollinator conservation efforts across the state and beyond. NRF partners with many groups such as nature centers, schools, and farms to create pollinator habitat and support research, education, and outreach efforts.<\/p>\n

Since 2019, NRF has invested over $800,000 in native pollinator conservation across the state, and put nearly $3 million to work total when matching funds are included. Funding has supported 62 projects with 46 partner organizations. Together, we\u2019ve restored and enhanced nearly 7,000 acres<\/strong> of pollinator habitat. With support from our donors, we\u2019ve been able to:<\/p>\n