Plant.Grow.Fly. Pollinator Program

A couple weeks ago I shared the plight of the Monarch.  They are in trouble, but other pollinator species are too.  Honeybee population and health troubles have been making the news and our native pollinators are also facing many challenges.  30% of our 45 species of native bumble bees are at risk of extinction.  These losses can also have serious implications for our agriculture systems (=our food).

This week I had the chance to visit with Jessie Lowry, Conservation Manager at the Blank Park Zoo here in Des Moines.  She has been at our local zoo for ten years, has a passion for conservation and manages the Plant.Grow.Fly. program.  She says one of the challenges of promoting conservation of more visible species, like African Elephants or Rhinos, is that there is little we can do personally other than send money.  The Plant.Grow.Fly. program was formed with that in mind, something we can actually DO right here at our own homes.

These pollinator gardens can be tailored to any space and budget.  Requirements for registration with the Plant.Grow.Fly. program are one host plant and one nectar plant.  Lowry says these requirements really encourage everyone to take part.  You can register a couple container plants on an apartment balcony, a large decorative suburban landscape, or full scale prairie restoration project*. 

Other beneficial features and practices you may implement include-

• adding more plants for diversity
• providing basking areas
• not using insecticides
• fertilizing with natural compost
• and more.

A weather proof sign is available (pictured) as well as low cost seed packets through their website.

  

*Including wildflowers in buffer strips have even shown benefit to crop yields.

Abundant Design is excited to be a part of this great Midwestern pollinator program, and share in its goals of growing habitat to conserve these important parts of our ecosystems.  We can provide a host and nectar plant installation that qualifies for registration with Plant.Grow.Fly.  For this program, registration will be done by you.  It is simple, online (or by mail if you prefer) and will allow you to have a hands-on part your garden project and recognition.

Contact us for an estimate and watch for more details in the products and services page. 


 

Bumble bee on one of our Purple Cone Flowers

Thanks for stopping by!