It is certainly not breaking news that our beloved pollinators are in decline; populations of honey bees, native bees, and butterflies – especially the monarch have experienced a sharp decline that threatens the sustainability of our food production. Every third bite of food we eat is from a plant that required pollination by an insect or animal.  Chocolate and coffee are two of my favorites!  Locally, important fresh market crops like apples, melons, tomatoes, cucumbers and green beans are all thanks to the hard work of many pollinators. The decline in pollinators is linked to factors like: pesticides, loss of habitat, parasites and disease. 

 

There is no silver bullet for solving this world-wide problem and it will take the efforts of many, implementing changes within their own capacities.  Perhaps you have considered trying to make a difference somewhere on your property – setting it aside for nature and pollinators?  Native prairie provides ideal habitat for pollinating insects that are such an integral part of our food chain.  Made up of a diverse mix of grasses and flowering plants, prairie also provides nesting habitat for song birds and upland game birds.

 

The Sherburne Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) has cost share available to help landowners establish native prairie for pollinator habitat.  If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity and how you can be part of a solution – contact Gina or Miranda @ 763-567-5376 or send an email to ghugo@sherburneswcd.org