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is designed to call attention to the basic and critical importance of pollinators while fundamentally changing the way we think about our gardens. Workbook + resources to be added There will be downloadable PDFs |
To fundamentally change the way we think about our gardens.....start thinking about this...
How much do we depend on biodiversity?
A well functioning habitat provides for us.
• Healthy food
• Medicines come from our surroundings. (ethnobotany)
• Regulates our atmosphere
• Cleans our water
• Brings joy and tranquility into our landscapes • Controls pests
• Regulates fire
• Invites in pollinators, birds
• Helps us avoid pesticides, herbicides.
• Lowers our water usage.
• Exudes stillness
“If we lose insects we're doomed. I know this sounds overly dramatic, but we absolutely are. Life on Earth would be utterly changed.
We wouldn't be able to grow our crops. Dung would build up in the fields. Life on Earth would essentially cease.” Dave Goulson
“Without plants there would be no oxygen and without bees to pollinate there would be no fruit or nuts. Bugs are the basis of the many wild food chains that support ecosystems.” Damian Carrington
“If insects were to vanish, the environment would collapse into chaos.” E. O. Wilson
Pollinators play a critical role in maintaining natural plant communities, ensuring the production of seeds in
most flowering plants, those plants that bring us countless fruits, vegetables, and nuts, half of the world’s oils,
fibers and raw materials; those plants that prevent soil erosion, and increase carbon sequestration.
To champion a healthy environment, plant native species.
To encourage pollinators, plant natives that provide nectar and pollen through out the season.
In order to reproduce, birds are dependent on the proteins and fat of insects for their energy needs and those of their young.*
Native plants are plants that occur naturally and are adapted to local conditions.
These plants have desirable traits such as low maintenance and water needs, strong pest resistance and the ability to survive harsh seasonal temperature change. They support our local wildlife by creating habitat and food sources for them.
What if we each create a tiny bit of beneficial habitats?
What if we trade our lawns for native plants that will sustain the ecosystems we depend on?
Things to start with:
• You start where you are, but where you are?
Know your region. Think of it as creating your nature preserve.
The local mix of plants, animals and watersheds, landscapes define the character and eventually the success
of a habitat adventure.Think not occupy, but inhabit. You start by reconnecting to nature.
• Every garden deserves a tree - or several! Simply put, trees are one of nature's best.
They provide food, shelter, nesting sites, safe hideouts, perches, blossoms, compost, shade.
Choose the right ones (for every size of garden, including balconies, every micro climate)
• Diversify . A diverse landscape may resist disease and insect pests better than those with little variety.
The more varied the habitat in your garden, the more wildlife you will attract.
A diverse landscape includes annuals, biennials and perennials of many different sizes, shapes, colors and textures.
It includes evergreens and deciduous plants, species that bloom at different times of the year and those that bear fruit or berries.
And it includes plants that occupy different canopy levels and root zones.
• Choose natives first
Native plant species are critical to creating wildlife habitat because local fauna are adapted to them.
Find out as much as you can about the soil, and whether your garden is sunny or shady.
Research indicates that indigenous bees prefer native plants over exotic species. 4000 natives in the USA.
• Provide water & shelter
Place a birdbath in your garden. Select ground-covers, shrubs, and trees that provide a variety of nesting sites.
Install birdhouses in locations that are secure and away from a lot of activity.
Snags are dead trees left in place. Consider leaving wood materials or downed trees if they don’t
threaten structures or parking areas or create a fire hazard.
Logs and large stones provide shelter for beneficial soil organisms and small reptiles while adding an interesting
element to the landscape.
• Eliminate the use of pesticides: Pesticides, herbicide, fungicides do not kill only the target pest species.
Birds, bees, butterflies and other creatures are also vulnerable, plus pesticides kill food sources for these.
• Conserve or restore natural areas & wildlife corridors. Let’s save all we can.
Our big hairy-assed goal is to harness the power of the people to plant beneficial habitats,
build pollinator pathways and migratory safe-havens, to invite nature into our lives.
Won’t you join us?
©2017 merry cox birdobjects@gmail.com http://blessedarethepollinators.com/join-us
How much do we depend on biodiversity?
A well functioning habitat provides for us.
• Healthy food
• Medicines come from our surroundings. (ethnobotany)
• Regulates our atmosphere
• Cleans our water
• Brings joy and tranquility into our landscapes • Controls pests
• Regulates fire
• Invites in pollinators, birds
• Helps us avoid pesticides, herbicides.
• Lowers our water usage.
• Exudes stillness
“If we lose insects we're doomed. I know this sounds overly dramatic, but we absolutely are. Life on Earth would be utterly changed.
We wouldn't be able to grow our crops. Dung would build up in the fields. Life on Earth would essentially cease.” Dave Goulson
“Without plants there would be no oxygen and without bees to pollinate there would be no fruit or nuts. Bugs are the basis of the many wild food chains that support ecosystems.” Damian Carrington
“If insects were to vanish, the environment would collapse into chaos.” E. O. Wilson
Pollinators play a critical role in maintaining natural plant communities, ensuring the production of seeds in
most flowering plants, those plants that bring us countless fruits, vegetables, and nuts, half of the world’s oils,
fibers and raw materials; those plants that prevent soil erosion, and increase carbon sequestration.
To champion a healthy environment, plant native species.
To encourage pollinators, plant natives that provide nectar and pollen through out the season.
In order to reproduce, birds are dependent on the proteins and fat of insects for their energy needs and those of their young.*
Native plants are plants that occur naturally and are adapted to local conditions.
These plants have desirable traits such as low maintenance and water needs, strong pest resistance and the ability to survive harsh seasonal temperature change. They support our local wildlife by creating habitat and food sources for them.
What if we each create a tiny bit of beneficial habitats?
What if we trade our lawns for native plants that will sustain the ecosystems we depend on?
Things to start with:
• You start where you are, but where you are?
Know your region. Think of it as creating your nature preserve.
The local mix of plants, animals and watersheds, landscapes define the character and eventually the success
of a habitat adventure.Think not occupy, but inhabit. You start by reconnecting to nature.
• Every garden deserves a tree - or several! Simply put, trees are one of nature's best.
They provide food, shelter, nesting sites, safe hideouts, perches, blossoms, compost, shade.
Choose the right ones (for every size of garden, including balconies, every micro climate)
• Diversify . A diverse landscape may resist disease and insect pests better than those with little variety.
The more varied the habitat in your garden, the more wildlife you will attract.
A diverse landscape includes annuals, biennials and perennials of many different sizes, shapes, colors and textures.
It includes evergreens and deciduous plants, species that bloom at different times of the year and those that bear fruit or berries.
And it includes plants that occupy different canopy levels and root zones.
• Choose natives first
Native plant species are critical to creating wildlife habitat because local fauna are adapted to them.
Find out as much as you can about the soil, and whether your garden is sunny or shady.
Research indicates that indigenous bees prefer native plants over exotic species. 4000 natives in the USA.
• Provide water & shelter
Place a birdbath in your garden. Select ground-covers, shrubs, and trees that provide a variety of nesting sites.
Install birdhouses in locations that are secure and away from a lot of activity.
Snags are dead trees left in place. Consider leaving wood materials or downed trees if they don’t
threaten structures or parking areas or create a fire hazard.
Logs and large stones provide shelter for beneficial soil organisms and small reptiles while adding an interesting
element to the landscape.
• Eliminate the use of pesticides: Pesticides, herbicide, fungicides do not kill only the target pest species.
Birds, bees, butterflies and other creatures are also vulnerable, plus pesticides kill food sources for these.
• Conserve or restore natural areas & wildlife corridors. Let’s save all we can.
Our big hairy-assed goal is to harness the power of the people to plant beneficial habitats,
build pollinator pathways and migratory safe-havens, to invite nature into our lives.
Won’t you join us?
©2017 merry cox birdobjects@gmail.com http://blessedarethepollinators.com/join-us