Hello, fellow nature enthusiasts of the Tri-States! It’s Pollinator Week in Wisconsin (June 17-23), and there's no better time to "bee" proactive about helping our buzzing buddies stick around for the future. Pollinators like bees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds play a critical role in our ecosystems, and they need our help now more than ever. But how can I make a difference? Glad you asked...

Credit: Ashley Ehlers
Credit: Ashley Ehlers
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Plant Some Native Blooms

Credit: Tom Drake Various flowers blooming next to my house. Its a super simple way to help our pollinators and it doesn't take much work at all.
Credit: Tom Drake
Various flowers blooming next to my house. It's a super simple way to help our pollinators and it doesn't take much work at all.
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First and foremost, plant native flowers and trees. These plants are tailor-made for our local pollinators and provide the best food source for our local population of pollinators. Early blooming trees, like willows and maples, are essential for bumblebee queens waking up from their winter naps. Throughout the growing season, plants like columbine, bee balm, and goldenrod keep the buffet open for months. Food for thought: the more variety, the better. You will be creating a beautiful and functional bee food court in your backyard!

Credit: Ashley Ehlers
Credit: Ashley Ehlers
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If Butterflies and moths are more your speed check this out. These bugs are quite picky when it come to their host plants, so cater to their needs by planting species like milkweed for monarchs, violets for fritillaries, and dill, fennel, or parsley for black swallowtails. These plants are essential for their life cycles and will have them coming back year after year.

Credit: Tom Drake In front of our house we also offer up a string of clematis.
Credit: Tom Drake
In front of our house, we also offer up a string of clematis.
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It's also important to remember that Pollinators need more than just food. Both water and shelter are essentials as well. Set up a shallow birdbath with pebbles so they can take a sip without the risk of drowning. Leave a bee house, some leaf piles, or maintain a small brush area for a cozy winter retreat. Some hollow-stemmed plants can even serve as nesting sites for solitary bees.

Credit: Ashley Ehlers
Credit: Ashley Ehlers
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Just Say No to Pesticides

Pesticides and herbicides might keep your garden pest-free, but they’re also harmful to pollinators. Opt for natural pest control methods and let beneficial insects do the work for you. A yard free from chemicals is a safe haven for our flying friends. A well-maintained pollinator space will be home to all kinds of insects and wildlife. This includes predators of the buggy kingdom: including spiders, mantis, centipedes, and many others.

Credit: Tom Drake
Credit: Tom Drake
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Bee Inspired by My Personal Experience

Credit: Ashley Ehlers
Credit: Tom Drake
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My family has tried to help out our local pollinators, and it’s REALLY easy to do. We have a small wildflower patch next to our house. It’s currently in bloom and is always full of non-treated flowering plants perfect for bees, butterflies, humming birds, and other pollinators. It’s low maintenance, regrows and seeds itself each year, and takes minimal weeding and watering. Seeing the garden buzzing with activity is incredibly rewarding, creates a beautiful, flowered space, and shows how simple actions can make a big difference.

Credit: Tom Drake
Credit: Tom Drake
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Want to get more involved? Join local initiatives like the Wisconsin Bumble Bee Brigade, the Iowa Butterfly Survey Network, or Illinois’ BeeSpotter. These programs offer training and opportunities to monitor and support pollinator populations. Your efforts can provide valuable data that helps scientists understand and protect these crucial creatures.

Credit: Tom Drake Check out all that good pollen!
Credit: Tom Drake
Check out all that good pollen!
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Get People Buzzing About Our Pollinators

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Lastly, share your passion! Talk to your neighbors, friends, and family about the importance of pollinators. Host garden tours or workshops, and encourage others to make their own spaces pollinator-friendly. The more people get involved, the bigger the impact we can have.

Credit: Tom Drake
Credit: Tom Drake
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This Pollinator Week, let’s all bee the change we want to see. By taking these simple steps, we can ensure our gardens remain vibrant AND our ecosystems thrive. Together, we can create a buzzing paradise for our pollinators and keep them around for generations to come. Happy Pollinator Week, and may your garden be the buzz of the town!

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