Diverse creatures pollinate flowers and provide an essential service for humans, birds and animals. Pollinators produce an estimated 35% of the fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts grown worldwide. Butterflies, native and domestic bees, wasps and even bats are the essential workers of nature, doing tasks that cannot easily be reproduced in their absence. Unfortunately, many pollinators, including the majestic Monarch butterfly , are at risk due to a loss of habitat, indiscriminate use of pesticides, and climate disruption.
The good news is that state and local governments, educational institutions, organizations, and individuals throughout MIchigan are taking steps to protect and restore the habitat for native pollinators. And advocates in cities, suburbs and rural areas are playing a role in changing policies and practices to help pollinators thrive. Many resources are available as groups and individuals work to convert backyards and public spaces into pollinator havens. Examples include Ann Arbor’s Pollinator-Aware Yard Care which came about after community members demonstrated how pollinator gardens could be made in an urban setting and encouraged a change of approach by the city to support residents converting turfgrass to native pollinator-friendly plants.
Organizations, educational institutions and public agencies provide information, training and in some cases supplies to people interested in helping these hard-working creatures thrive. These include:
Michigan State University Pollinator Champions program. This self-paced online program provides a wealth of information about pollinators Participants can qualify to become a MSU Certified Pollinator Champion. MSU also hosts a useful website called Pollinator Planting which links to a variety of different ways to support these critical creatures, including creating “bee hotels” and turning lawns into habitat.
Sierra Club volunteers in the Grand Rapids area have worked with local agencies and other organizations to promote pollinator education online and at events. Find resources on the Sierra Club Greater Grand Rapids Facebook page.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides guidance in "How to Build a Pollinator Garden" https://www.fws.gov/story/how-build-pollinator-garden and offers many related online articles.Specific information about efforts to protect the Monarch butterfly, listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, is found here.
For farmers, beekeepers and pesticide applicators, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development oversees a Managed Pollinator Protection Plan designed to improve and protect the health of pollinators in their vital role of fertilizing fruits and vegetables. https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/plant-pest/pesticides/managed-pollinator-protection-plan
Sierra Magazine covers the pollinator crisis with articles about the challenges and opportunities for restoring habitat and protections both in suburban lawns and on a grander scale. A collection of articles can be found here. https://www.sierraclub.org/topics/pollinators
The University of Minnesota Bee Lab https://beelab.umn.edu provides several tips for making yards and lawns more bee-friendly, including a video about "the hottest lawn styles of 2022." https://youtu.be/DIbD0Y7_0Rg
In a sign of real progress toward supporting pollinators, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) offers guidance on providing pollinator habitat along roadways. https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/programs/highway-programs/roadside-property-management/pollinator-habitat-management-program
MDOT is moving away from planting and mowing grass, which consumes fossil fuels and provides a barren landscape for native creatures, to more integrated vegetative management.
Taking a few simple steps to support Michigan pollinators can make a big difference and contribute to restoring and sustaining native ecosystems and the many services these systems provide.