Upcoming webinar:  

Bring Back the Pollinators:  Providing Nesting Habitat for Bees

September 29: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PT / 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM MT / 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CT / 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET

The availability of nesting habitat is a critical yet often overlooked factor impacting native bee populations. In this webinar, Xerces Biologists, Leif Richardson and Sarah Foltz Jordan, will summarize nesting biology of major groups of bees, including leaf-cutter bees, mining bees, bumble bees, and many more. 

They will also offer numerous practical approaches to creating and managing nesting habitat features. Approaches are relevant to landscapers, farmers, gardeners, natural resource professionals, and anyone interested in taking the next step in supporting pollinators. Community science opportunities will also be discussed.

Register:  https://xerces.org/events/none/bring-back-pollinators-providing-nesting-habitat-for-bees

This is the fourth webinar in the four-part series Bring Back the Pollinators.

This webinar will be recorded and available on our YouTube channel. Closed Captioning will be available during this webinar.

Pollinators are facing serious threats in today's world. Habitat destruction, pesticide use, and climate change are just a few of the factors that have directly affected wild pollinator species and their populations over the last several decades. But there's good news: you can help support pollinators in your garden! In this article, we'll discuss some ways you can help keep your garden humming with activity from bees, butterflies, and other insects that play an important role in our ecosystem.

Pollen dusting. #pollen #beepollen #pollendust #dust #bees #savethebees #savethepollinators #gardeninspiration #wildflowergarden #wildflowergardens #backyardgarden #wildlifephotography #beefriendly #survival #plant #plan #wildernessculture #prowildlife #vibes #crosspollination #meditationpractice #makingsanctuary #makesanctuary #awarenessrocks #meditationrocks #solitarybees #honeybees #community #learnthroughnature #natural https://www.instagram.com/p/CiObzm-MX-s/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Just like bears, many pollinators hibernate through the winter — and they may need a little help to survive until spring.

As the leaves and temperatures drop, it might be tempting to forget about your pollinator garden until spring. While it may seem like the bees have vanished for the year, they haven’t actually gone anywhere.

Although some butterfly species, most notably the monarch, are well-known for migrating vast distances when the seasons change, most pollinators prefer to stay at home and ride out the cold. So, as unlikely as it seems, you are currently surrounded by bees and butterflies — even though you can’t see them.

Help Them Survive The Cold Winter:

1. Leave the leaves: leaves and other “litter” are essential shelter for hibernating bumble bee queens and the larvae of numerous butterfly and moth species.

2. Minimize ground disturbances: Approximately 70 percent of all bee species nest in the ground —frequently in yards and garden beds.

3. Collect cavity nests before pruning perennials or disposing of garden materials: Once you’ve identified any nests, collect and place them somewhere cool and dry like your garage until spring when they can be returned to your garden

4. Check under logs and rocks before moving them: Countless invertebrate species prefer to nest/hibernate around rocks and woody debris. Make sure to check under logs and in wood piles before starting any fires.

5. Keep an eye out for “creative” nests: There are some oddities out there that will take up residence inside galls or snail shells—or even construct nests from pebbles for the winter.

6. Spread the word, leaves are not litter

#savethepollinators

Read more: https://xerces.org/2018/12/10/where-did-the-pollinators-go/

🌼🦋 Embrace the Beauty of Nature with our Pollinators Tote Bag! 🦋🌼 Brighten up your days with this adorable tote, adorned with winged beauties and a delightful floral backdrop! Let its inspiring message remind you that Pollinators are Friends – the unsung heroes of nature! From hardworking Bees to graceful Butterflies, from buzzing Flies to charming Hummingbirds and Beatles, this tote celebrates the diverse and essential roles played by these tiny wonders of nature. This cute canvas bag is the perfect companion for your gardening adventures – it's spacious enough to hold all your tools, fresh fruits, vegetables, or any of nature's precious findings. Measuring 15 x 17 inches with a 5-inch gusseted bottom, it's both practical and stylish. Natural in its appeal, it's a must-have accessory for every nature enthusiast! So, why wait? Grab yours today and show your love for pollinators while staying eco-friendly and fashionable! Let's protect and support our little friends who make our world bloom with beauty! #PollinatorsToteBag #NatureLovers #SaveThePollinators #EcoFriendlyFashion #BeesAndButterflies #GardenEssentials #SoulFlower #SoulFlowerBuds #ReusableBag #EcoTote https://instagr.am/p/Cu7aU5ttsAM/

Plant a black walnut tree to save pollinators, feed wildlife, shade your yard and house, and to capture carbon dioxide. We grow all kinds of plants beneath the walnut tree, no problem. #dougtallamy #savethepollinators #plantatree #nativetrees #blackwalnut

The flower doesn't dream of the bee, it Blossoms and the bee's come.

FLOWER-ASSOCIATED WASP FACT SHEETS (North America)

FREE FOR EDUCATIONAL USE

Garden progress update: since it feels like rain the kids and I hussled to get another butterfly garden bed filled and planted in the front yard (Randy and the kids bought me a native butterfly garden from the Muskegon Conservation District with local plants grown at Weesie Brothers Garden Center in Montague for Mother's Day ❤). We also made another Oriole orange feeder for our hungry guys since they keep scaring the hummingbirds away from the feeder. In the "people garden" the carrots and radishes are thriving thanks to my husband's inventive idea to plop the green house directly over the raised bed during the final frost. And in the bee garden by the road everything is loving all this rain and has grown several inches. The bird bath we made from a bowl that belonged to Randy's grandmother is working well; we have an additional hanging bird bath from Whitehall Products on the feeding station but the birds seem to enjoy having two. #doctorsinthehouse #garden #butterflygarden #beegarden #savethepollinators #plantnative #shoplocal #meadowsnotlawns #gardeningforwildlife https://www.instagram.com/p/CAX7eHdAxaM/?igshid=10fweokqzx4b2

The exciting conclusion of my feeding #rawhoney to a (dying?) #honeybee saga... #thrills , a surprise, the moment of fear... #savethepollinators #IHellaLoveOakland #savethebees🐝 #GetRealEstate (at Oakland, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2gHEttgHBZ/?igshid=juqfvhbk6io7

Busy bees and wasps all over the Goldenrod! Don't get too close. ~ Matteo #flowers #wildflowers #wildflower #goldenrod #bees #bee #pollen #pollenators #pollenation #wasp #savethebees #savethebees🐝 #savethepollinators (at Three Rivers, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch3FqKzuKb0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Another great and fun removal 🐝 these ladies were wonderful and so gentle. All the bees and comb were saved 🙌🏼 _ See how white the comb is? This was a young hive of about a month or so. Only the young bees secrete wax flakes from special glands to build comb. After they begin walking over it, storing nectar, pollen, and raising brood, it changes color to yellow and eventually dark brown or black from contact with propolis. _ #livehiveremoval #hiverelocation #savethebees #savethepollinators #pollinatoract2019 #biodiversity #beekeeping #beekeepers #certifiedbeekeepers #apiculture #honeybees #wildbees #feralbees #wax #comb #beevacuum #optoutside #findyourway https://www.instagram.com/p/BzWQOv5ALtw/?igshid=1w21ryf6sfo7t

Bees of #manhattanbeach celebrating #nationalpollinatorsweek #savethebees🐝 #pollinators #savethepollinators #gaia #ilovebees🐝 (at Manhattan Beach, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/By-83NVBEvs/?igshid=1alcu7pqti3l8

Oh, yes! A Monarch Butterfly caterpillar on the Butterfly Weed I planted this year! #Asclepiastuberosa #03August2021 . . . . . . #ButterflyWeed #MonarchButterflyCaterpillar #southeasternPA #Pennsylvania #YorkCountyPA #PeachBottomTwp #August2021 #MonarchCaterpillar 🐛 #SaveThePollinators 🦋 #SaveTheButterflies https://www.instagram.com/p/CSHhCkIKVYl/?utm_medium=tumblr