Pollinators play a crucial role in plant reproduction. Animal pollinators, especially bees, are critical for producing our food. But despite their value, many pollinator species are in trouble. To fight pollinator population decline, NRCS works with private landowners to establish pollinator habitat
In the United States one third of all agricultural output depends on pollinators. Rhode Island farmers and growers can attest to the significant role pollinators play in the production of many of our crops. Promoting pollinator habitat on and near the farm benefits everyone who likes to eat!
Three-fourths of the worlds flowering plants depend on pollinators to reproduce. Most fruit, vegetable, seed crops and other plants that provide fiber, medicines and fuel are pollinated by animals. Some scientists estimate that one out of every three bites of food we eat exists because of animal pollinators like bees, butterflies and moths, birds and bats, and beetles and other insects.
NRCS provides technical and financial assistance for farmers and private forest owners to improve pollinator habitat on their property. The Conservation Stewardship Program and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program have targeted assistance for honey bee, monarch butterfly and other pollinator habitat.
To help our Ocean State farmers, forest landowners, gardeners, and urban growers plant pollinator habitat to conserve native pollinator species, Rhode Island NRCS has developed a Pollinator Gardens Design Guide that provides sample layouts and native plant species for dry, wet and typical soil conditions. Download it here:
Rhode Island NRCS also collaborated with the Xerces Society to develop a Hedgerow Planting Installation Guide for Pollinators that provides in-depth practical guidance on how to install and maintain nectar- and pollen-rich habitat for pollinators in the form of wildflower meadow plantings/conservation cover (NRCS Conservation Practice 327) or linear rows of native flowering shrubs/hedgerow plantings (NRCS Conservation Practice 422). Seed mixes and plant recommendations for Rhode Island are included in the appendix of the guide. Download it here:
Learn More
NRCS programs and resources to learn about and help pollinators include:
- New England Pollinator Partnership
- Insects and Pollinators
- Monarch Butterfly Initiative
- Working Lands for Wildlife
Other organizations with resources to learn about and help pollinators include:
- University of Rhode Island Bee Lab
- Rhode Island Wild Plant Society
- Audubon Society of Rhode Island
- Save the Monarch Butterfly - U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
- Bee Better Certified
- Save Our Monarchs Foundation
- Monarch Joint Venture
- Xerces Society - Northeast Region
- Pollinator Partnership
