March 28, 2024
Local News | Putnam County Record


Local News

Saving the pollinators

You can help in your own backyard

Recently, many joined in to help spread awareness of Pollinator Week and all it represents.

While there is only one week dedicated to bringing awareness to the pollinator issues around the country, there are those whose efforts year-round are applauded who work to reverse and prevent pollinator declines caused by loss of habitat, disease, pesticides, parasites and other interconnected assaults on pollinator populations.

Ellen Starr is an area biologist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and serves 38 counties in Northern Illinois.

She confirmed populations of native pollinators are decreasing at an alarming pace. Pollinators include bees, bats, butterflies and hummingbirds.

There are a number of factors behind the decline in population including lack of habitat and lack of awareness that pollinators are imperial.

Urbanization, expansion of population, the growing size of agricultural land and new farming practices including the use of insecticides have also been linked to the decline.

"Insecticides are hard on the insects. Certain types of insecticides that have been developed lately are very toxic to the bees," Starr said. "Crops have also eliminated weeds, especially the milkweeds, which are beneficial for the insects, especially Monarchs and their larvae which feed strictly on milkweed."

Starr explained it's important to recognize the issues because every one in three bites of food and drink consumed is a result of a flower being pollinated by insects.

"That most important part of our diet is by pollination of insects — which would be fruits and vegetables," she said.

Starr said honey bees are losing 30 percent of their hives each year.

Many bees are not returning to their hives, which is called Colony Collapse Disorder. The reason behind this issue is unknown, but many are considering pesticides, fungus, malnutrition and other pathogens are what may be to blame.

Bumble bees, which were one very common, even in agricultural areas are now almost nonexistent, according to Starr.

There are 4,000 different kinds of native bees in North America, and 350 native bees in Illinois alone.

What can we do to help?

Starr said helping the pollinators is as simple as planting native flowers. Whether it be in a window box or in a garden — every little bit can help.

"Habitat is something we have control over. We don't have control over the chemical companies and farming practices, but we have a yard — we can help," she said.

Those interested can visit pollinators.org and type in a zip code to find out what the native plants are for the area. Starr has also developed a brochure that can be picked up at the Princeton Public Library or the NRCS office that lists important native flowering plants.

"The plants on the list have a lot of sugar in the nectar, so they are really attractive to bees; and they are able to get more food than they would on other types of flowers," she said.

There are plants for all types of soils — whether the soil is moist, dry or wet.

The plants produce flowers that last from spring to fall.

For more information, call the NRCS office at 815-875-8732, ext. 3. Ask to talk with either Kevin or Maryann; or dial ext.117 to speak with Starr.