One out of three bites of our food depends on pollinators.

These include bees and butterflies plus birds, beetles, wasps and even small mammals such as bats — who move pollen within flowers and from bloom to bloom.

Pollination is the first step in a process that produces seeds, fruits, and the next generation of plants.

Our Pollinators Are Under Attack

“ America’s agricultural landscape is now 48 times more toxic to honeybees, and likely other insects, than it was 25 years ago,” says National Geographic. The reasons include:

P hoto above from Pollinator Partnership

On March 5, the New Jersey Senate passed S1016, voting 32 to 7 with substantial bipartisan support. The bill, which will move to the Assembly for voting ( A2070), seeks to ban use of neonicotinoid pesticides ("neonics") on lawns, golf courses and other non-agricultural settings in New Jersey. Its passage would give our state's pollinators and ecosystems one of the strongest protections in the nation against neonics, according to the National Resources Defense Council. Learn more here, and let your Assembly members know you support A2070.

Take Action in Your Own Yard!

Support pollinators by creating a rich and diversified habitat in your yard! Grow pesticide-free organic edibles as well as native wildflowers, trees and shrubs to provide forage for bees and attract other pollinators.

Joan Maccari of the Madison Environmental Commission recommends studying the plantings at Drew University's Zuck Arboretum. Check out this trail guide as well as some photos.

The Madison Community Garden (shown below), located within the Madison Recreational Complex (MRC) has three plots dedicated solely to growing flowers for pollinators, and offers a plant list plus growing tips. Additionally, the Community Garden has an onsite apiary whose bees pollinate the garden!

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