Did you have blueberries in your morning cereal? Can you imagine autumn in Minnesota without pumpkins or family weekends picking apples at your local orchard? Bees, butterflies, beetles, flies, and other pollinators are central to our food supply, sustain our ecosystems, and light up our gardens.
Many of our pollinators are in trouble, but you can help! Visit our Plant For Pollinators page to fill your garden, yard, and patio with beautiful native wildflowers!
Habitat loss, pesticides, and new diseases and parasites are reducing many pollinator populations. Some of Minnesota’s pollinators, including the rusty patched bumble bee, Poweshiek skipperling, and Dakota skipper are even now in danger of extinction. Simple actions can help though:
- Provide food for pollinators with a variety of plants that flower Spring through Fall – native species do best in our environment.
- Provide nesting areas for pollinators – like patches of undisturbed soil or unmowed brushy areas.
- Avoid pesticides. Reduce impacts to pollinators through integrated pest management practices.
- Celebrate! Tell your friends and neighbors about all the amazing pollinators you discover!
The Minnesota Zoological Garden is committed to saving pollinators. We practice pollinator-friendly landscaping for the endangered rusty patched bumble bees and other pollinators that call the Zoo home and we work to restore endangered Minnesota butterflies through the Prairie Butterfly Conservation Program. Zoo scientists also collaborate with other Minnesota state agencies to help restore pollinator health statewide.
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