By Diane Wilson, Ecologist

Due to declines in the numbers of honey bees and wild pollinators, pollinator conservation has become a high priority in the United States, as well as other countries.  These declines have been caused by disease, pests, stress and habitat destruction.  There are 3 important requirements to consider for pollinator conservation: food, habitat, and safety.  Bees and other pollinators need food sources throughout their active season to insure good nutrition, which helps them to fend off disease and pests.  They also need habitat or areas where they can build nests and/​or lay eggs.  Finally pollinators need protection from disruptive or deadly landscaping and farming practices.  If you have all 3 of these areas covered, you will be well on your way to conserving, and even increasing, pollinator populations on your property.  Today, I will be focusing on habitat for pollinators.   Continue reading…