How to create a pollinator-friendly garden
Encourage wildlife biodiversity in your own backyard
Milkwees are the host plant of Monarchs, the only plant their larva can feed on.
By Michelle Smith
THE COLORFUL BUTTERFLIES and buzzing bees dancing around your yard are important members of our ecosystem and ensure the success of our flower and vegetable gardens each year. Unfortunately, pollinators such as native bees and monarch butterflies are in steep decline. There are several contributing factors to their population decline, from climate change to pesticide use, and especially habitat loss, which is often unintentionally caused by humans. Many native plants, including milkweed, dandelion, and purple coneflower are often considered “weeds” by people and accidentally removed without knowing their benefits. This loss of native plants in Maine has had a significant effect on pollinators in the state. In addition, the displacement of native plants with ornamentals like Chinese lanterns, Asiatic Bittersweet and other foreign species has disrupted the natural balance in our environment. Non-native and invasive plants have less restrictive growing conditions that allow them to outcompete native plants, destroying the habitat for native pollinators and wildlife. But we have a chance to take back the land for pollinators by starting our own backyards. By simply planting a few native species in your backyard, along your driveway or even in pots on your front porch, you are taking an active role in saving our pollinators.
Get involved in wildlife conservation at home
With the impacts of climate change increasingly affecting Maine wildlife and habitat, it is important that we participate in community and citizen science projects to record and share what we are seeing in our yards: Are birds arriving earlier? Are plants in your garden blooming earlier? Are you seeing fewer pollinators? Our collective observations will help demonstrate the impact of climate change on wildlife and what we can all do to help native wildlife remain resilient and resistant to changes in the environment.
To learn more about community science projects happening in Maine, visit maineaudubon.org/community-science.
How to encourage native wildlife in your yard
Avoid pesticides. Explore alternative and learn about the many insects that are beneficial to the environment, birds and animals.
Plant trees, shrubs and other plants native to Maine.
Contain or eliminate invasive species. Destroying fruits and berries of invasive trees/shrubs helps slow the spread of problematic plant species.
Keep a nature journal or participate in a citizen science project.
Boast! Tell your neighbors, friends and co-workers about the amazing wildlife you see right in your yard.
Plant native species to support wildlife. Here a few plants native to Maine to integrate into your garden:
Dry areas:
Wild rose (Rosa virginiana)
Bayberry (Morella caroliniensis)
Yellow coneflower (Ratibida pinnata)
Wet areas
Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)
Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)
Blue vervain (Verbena hastata)
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Green & Healthy Maine is published by TheSunriseGuide, LLC. This article originally ran in the 2016 SunriseGuide.