Pollinators include bees, birds, ants, flies, beetles, bats and more.They play a critical role in our ecosystem by fertilizing plants to make fruit or seeds.
Pollinator health is essential to our global food supply. Sadly, 16.5% of bird and mammal pollinators and 40% of pollinating insects are currently threatened with extinction.
We can all help by creating a pollinator-friendly habitat in our yards. And a pollinator-friendly habitat attracts a variety of birds. Plants are a vital food source (berries, nectar, seeds) and pollinating insects are eaten by birds.
Here’s what you can do:
- Select native plants that are well-suited for your local conditions
- Reduce pesticide use:
• focus on a healthy environment, not a perfect landscape
• Keep plants healthy with compost and watering roots deeply but infrequently
• Use natural pest control methods like companion planting and handpicking pests - Provide a source of water for birds and other pollinators (shallow pond)
- Provide nesting sites:
• Leave dead trees and branches in place
• Plant native trees and shrubs
• Bird houses Plant a diversity of plants that bloom at different times of the year to provide a continuous food source for a variety of birds and insects.
Additional questions? Ask the local backyard birding experts at any All Seasons Wild Bird Store.
Additional links:
- Landscaping for birds: https://wildbirdstore.com/resources/g…
- Audubon: https://www.audubon.org/news/what-do-…
- Twin Cities area nurseries that sell native plants:
• Blazing Star Gardens
• Sogn Valley Farm
• Naturally Wild
• Natural Shore Technologies
• Native Sun Seeds and Plants
• BluPrairie Native Plant Nursery
• Kinnickinnic Natives