June 20-26 is National Pollinator Week

by Cathy Bylinowski, Horticulture Instructor, University of Missouri Extension- Jackson County


Pollinators are one of the most important residents of the garden, farm, backyard, woods, and prairies. These tiny members of the community include butterflies, beetles, flies, honey bees, bumble bees, and even hummingbirds!

Many organizations and individuals are spreading the word about the importance of pollinators and the difficult situation many pollinators are experiencing due to habitat loss, pollution, and the misuse of pesticides.

Why are pollinators important? Because they assist in spreading the plant part called pollen, which often looks like orange or yellow dust, from flower to flower allowing fruits and seeds to develop. People and wildlife depend on the pollination for food. Did you know that about one third of the food we regularly eat depends on pollinators for successful production? If you and your family like to eat apples, blueberries, cucumbers, cherries, eggplant, okra, peaches, plums, strawberries, pumpkin, or squash, you have pollinators to thank for those delicious additions to our diet.

Pollination ensures future generations of fruit and seeds for food, plant survival, and adaptation to environmental conditions. Forest, prairie, and savannah natural communities depend on pollinators for survival, too.

Pollinator Conservation- What are the most important steps we can take to protect and ensure the survival of pollinators? Here’s a list of some important actions we can take:

• Protect pollinators by avoiding unnecessary pesticide use on plants.
• If you have to use pesticides, read the label. It is the law!
• Practice less tidy gardening in some of the out of the way parts of your property so that native bees and butterflies have habitat for nests and overwintering.
• Plant flowering plants that feed bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Plant host plants that feed the larva (caterpillars) so they can turn into butterflies and moths.
• Share your pollinator knowledge with children, grandchildren, neighbors, and friends

Want more information on pollinators? Here are some events, resources, and activities to help you learn more:

• Pollinator Festival, Saturday, June 24, 9:30am to 11:30am, St. Paul’s Community Garden, 3601 Sterling, Independence, MO, 64052. (Rain-out date is Sunday, June 25; 2:00-4:00 p.m.)

This free family-friendly event is designed Paul’s Community Garden Manager if you have questions- 816-356-6986.

• University of Missouri Extension Master Pollinator Steward Program- https://extension.missouri.edu/programs/master-pollinator-steward

 
Master Pollinator Steward Program publications are available as free downloads to individuals- https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/m405

• Monarch Watch- https://monarchwatch.org/  Information on Monarch butterfly conservation

 

• Xerces Society- https://xerces.org/  Information on conservation of invertebrates, including insects, and their habitats.

·Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City Hotline-Call or Email Your Home Gardening Questions816-833-TREE (8733) – 24 hour voice mail. Email: [email protected]
(Please include your county, phone number and any pictures that would help Extension Master Gardener volunteers assist you in answering your questions.)

Bee covered with pollen grains. Image by Michael Reichelt used with permission from Pixabay