Protecting and feeding the planet’s pollinators

HILLSDALE — Avalon Bunge, the Ecological Projects Manager of Partners for Climate Action Harlem Valley will be speaking from 6 to 7:30 p.m. On Thursday, Aug. 15 at the Roeliff Jansen Community Library at 9091 Route 22 in Hillsdale on simple actions that all residents can take to help to preserve the planet and it’s critical ecological system.

Bunge, speaking on “Protecting Pollinators” will explain that when it comes to helping to build our local ecology by providing food sources for native pollinators, every effort helps — from a flower pot on a porch to corner of a yard to a meadow filled with wild flowers.

She says that adding native plants to the environment is key because “these are the best — and in many cases — the only food source for our native pollinators” which, in turn, “are really important to our food system.”

She adds, “They are also a really important part of climate resilience needed ... to preserve our biodiversity. We don’t know what kind of environmental shocks we are going to suffer going forward. We want to prevent extinction as much as possible.”

Bunge defines pollinators as “any agent that transports pollen between flowers, a process which allows plants to be fertilized. This can include many different types of insects as well as birds and bats.”

Bunge’s talk will center on the organization’s “The Pollinator Action Guide” which “focuses on bees, butterflies, and moths,” noting “planting native plants to support these pollinators is likely to benefit lots of other pollinators too, like wasps, beetles, flies, hummingbirds and more.”

Bunge explains that the guide, which is available at pollinatehv.org, provides detailed information on the way anyone can help using a little effort and a certain amount of patience as the plants will take a season or two to reach full bloom.

She says to prepare a plot, existing grass or other vegetation can easily be removed by covering the area with a tarp or cardboard for about a year.

Seeds can be scattered or plants distributed either randomly or by design with Bunge recommending that they be set as densely as possible since that has the dual benefit of cutting down in weeding and producing more flowers for the pollinators to visit.

She suggests that if planters are concerned about reactions of neighbors, they might add a sign to explain what they are doing and encouraging others to join in the effort in their own spaces.

The guide provides lists of which kinds of plants will attract which sorts of pollinators such as milkweed attracting monarch butterflies and where those plants may be purchased locally.

Bunge notes that in addition to providing information, the group sponsors activities and provides grants to non-profit organizations such as schools, libraries and municipalities working on climate action. Private farms and the like might also be able to partner with eligible groups to receive funding.

For more information, go to climateactionhv.org.