Amazing Fact: Of the 100 crop species that provide 90% of the world's food, more than 70 are pollinated by BEES!

It doesn’t matter if you live on a farm, in the suburbs, or in an apartment on the 13th floor downtown.

There is always SOMETHING you can do to make the world a little more comfortable for pollinators.

Perilous Plight of the Pollinator – This colorful and fun brochure briefly explains the important role pollinators play in agriculture. It identifies native plants, trees, grasses, herbs, and flowers critical to ag production. The brochure raises awareness about issues pollinators face and encourages homeowners and landowners to plant species native to Illinois and valuable to pollinators. This publication is great for students and educators to increase general awareness about pollinator issues.

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Perilous Plight of the Pollinator Brochure

Pollinator Gardens - Design Guide – This 8-page booklet offers guidance on designing gardens for pollinators, steps for site preparation and maintenance. It includes schematic drawings on plant placement and offers specific native plant species suggestions and site preparation tips for success on Illinois soils. This publication is great for homeowners, landscape managers, educators, landowners, schools, and businesses—anyone interested in adding environmental improvements to small-scale sites. Includes full color photos of plants and blooms.

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Pollinator Gardens (Design Guide) [PDF] 8-1/2x11 or 11x17

Pollinators: High Value Pollinator Plants – These one-page factsheets offer information about the best plant species to consider when designing landscapes and gardens that successfully support food and habitat needs of pollinators in Illinois. Species include native flowers, shrubs, trees, bunch grasses, and herbs. Each factsheet offers recommendations for species that will thrive in DRY, MOIST and WET sites. This publication is great for gardeners, homeowners, specialty crop growers, farmers and landowners of all types.

Perilous Plight of the Pollinator
High Value Pollinator Lists
(Wet Sites) Fact Sheet

Monarch Butterfly Habitat Development Project – Monarch butterfly populations are down! This tri-fold brochure briefly discusses why Monarch butterflies are important to agriculture and describes NRCS’s Monarch Butterfly Habitat Development Project. Using conservation programs (EQIP, WRP, and CSP), landowners within the Monarch’s 9-state migration route can receive technical and financial assistance to plant different types of milkweed species as well as important nectaring plants. This publication is good for introducing options to farmers, landowners, or operators about NRCS program options.

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Monarch Butterfly Habitat Development Project Brochure

Monarch Butterfly Habitat Development Project –This colorful, one-page factsheet shows the nine states that encompass the Monarch Butterfly’s migration route from Texas towards Canada. It explains why agricultural operations need Monarchs and informs farmers and landowners about the programs and assistance NRCS can provide to create the habitat they require. This publication is good for introducing farmers, landowners, and operators to program options.

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Monarch Butterfly Habitat Development Project Factsheet

 Wildlife Habitat Planting – This is guidance material NRCS staff provides to farmers/landowners for specific recommendations and information needed to successfully establish conservation cover that supports pollinators on their land/acres. This publication is ideal for landowners who are ready to implement practices on their land. 

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CPS 420 Wildlife Habitat Planting Factsheet [PDF]

Pollinator Biology & Habitat Technical Note – This 34-page flier provides detailed information on how to plan for, protect, and create pollinator habitat. Information is detailed, scientific, and highly technical. This publication is useful for landowners and farmers who are serious about learning more about pollinator habitat and the science and research behind it. Information offers specific guidance for establishment and long-term management of large habitat areas.

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Illinois Biology Technical Note 23 Factsheet

Monarch In The Making –    This is a full color poster with close-up photographs that follow the life cycle of a Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) from egg, to caterpillar, to chrysalis, and finally to butterfly. This is perfect as supporting material for educators or for posting in classrooms.

DOWNLOAD Monarch in the Making (Poster) 24x36in [PDF]

Illinois EcoRegions Map  (PDF file)

Sample Seeding Mixes for Your EcoRegion

Different Illinois locations have different environments, ecosystems, and soils that successfully support pollinator plant species to ensure local pollinators have what they need to survive and THRIVE. Find your EcoRegion on the map above and then download the sample seeding mix of species from the list below:

CCBP Dry Pollinator (>5% slope) (PDF file)

CCBP Mesic Pollinator (>5% slope) (PDF file)

CCBP Mesic Pollinator (<5% slope) (PDF file)

CCBP Wet Pollinator (PDF file)

Driftless Area Dry Pollinator (>5% slope) (PDF file)

Driftless Area Dry Pollinator (<5% slope) (PDF file)

Interior Plateau Pollinator Dry (<5% slope) (PDF file)

Interior Plateau Pollinator Mesic (<5% slope) (PDF file)

Interior Plateau Pollinator Wet (PDF file)

MAP Dry Pollinator (<5% slope) (PDF file)

MAP Mesic Pollinator (<5% slope) (PDF file)

SEWTP Dry Pollinator (>5% slope) (PDF file)

SEWTP Dry Pollinator (<5% slope) (PDF file)

SEWTP Mesic Pollinator (>5% slope) (PDF file)

SEWTP Mesic Pollinator <5% slope) (PDF file)

SEWTP Wet Pollinator  (PDF file)

National NRCS Resources:

• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Insects and Pollinators
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Monarch Butterflies
• Important Plants of the Monarch Butterfly - Midwest Region (PDF, 10.2MB) 
• Monarch Butterfly Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Guide and Decision Support Tool: Midwest (PDF, 800KB) 
• Monarch Butterfly Wildlife Habitat Datasheet: Midwest (PDF, 200KB) 

• University of Illinois Pollinatarium 
• Xerxes Society 
  • Xerxes Society Habitat Assessment Guides for bees, pollinators, and beneficial Insects 
  • Xerces Invertebrate Conservation Fact Sheet: Tunnel Nests for native Bees – Nest Construction and Management (PDF)
• Journey North: Tracking Migrations and Seasons 
• Illinois Wildflowers 
  • Plant-feeding Insect Database 
  • Flower-visiting Insect Database
• NatureServe Explorer 
• Butterflies and Moths of North America: collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera 
• Bee Spotter
• BugGuide
• USFS Caterpillars of the Eastern Forests (PDF)