This week, June 16 through June 22, marks Pollinator Week, a national celebration led by Pollinator Partnership to raise awareness about the vital role pollinators play in ecosystems and communities. In Iowa, key pollinators include bees, butterflies, moths, and even the ruby-throated hummingbird. This year’s theme, “Pollinators Weave Connections,” highlights the ways these species support biodiversity and cultural traditions. The goal of this public information initiative is to help Iowans support pollinators in their yards, neighborhoods, and communities, and there are a few things Iowans can do to help. Plant native species like butterfly milkweed or pale purple coneflower, which provide essential food and habitat. Add water sources with shallow access for insects, such as birdbaths with rocks or puddling areas for butterflies. Use pollinator-friendly lighting, such as dim, warm-colored bulbs, to reduce disruption to nocturnal insects. Cut back on insecticide usage, when possible, to avoid harming beneficial insects, and leave patches of tall grass, leaf litter, and brush piles, where allowed, as shelter. For more tips and information, visit pollinator.org. Celebrate this week by making your yard a safe haven for Iowa’s pollinators.
