How you can help

More than half of all flowering plants species are suffering from are under-pollinated because pollinators are in decline. The reasons for this decline range from inappropriate use of pesticides to habitat loss due to development and encroachment of invasive species. Pollinators have also been hit hard by parasites and diseases. It’s a tough time to be a pollinator, but it’s not too late for us to help.

We can make a difference for many of the native pollinators in the Willamette Valley by taking these steps:

• Limit your use of pesticides.Instead of spraying pests, implement Integrated Biological Pest Management techniques. (Farming with Native Beneficial Insects by Xerces Society is a great resource)
• Install pollinator nesting sites.Whether you make a bee block, purchase an insect hotel, or simply leave stumps in your landscape, you’ll be giving native pollinators the structures they need for nesting. An expert will be available to show you the options at the annual winter Native Plant Sale.
• Plant a pollinator garden.Pollinators need pollen and nectar sources and house plants like milkweed. We’ve made it easy for you to support native pollinators in your landscape by offering a range of native plants preferred by pollinators throughout the growing season. We even have a couple great designs available for you to use for free. Check out Donna Schmitz’s Pollinator Hedgerow or the Sunny Pollinator Garden Design created for us by Signe Danler.
• Expand your understanding and share what you’ve learned.
  • OSU Extension has research-based publications to help you build habitat for bees and pollinators.
  • NRCS shares information about creating vegetated field borders to increase on-farm pollinator health.
  • See Xerces Society’s helpful publications on habitat installation for Western Oregon and Washington.
  • At the bottom of this page, you can access our many pollinator-themed blog posts.