Background

In the previous section we explored the threats facing our pollinators. Fortunately, there are many things we can do to help turn the tide and help these tiny allies – and therefore ourselves. By providing suitable habitat for our pollinators and other wildlife, we help ensure the well being of so many species we depend upon.

1. A. Food – Pollinators get food from flowers, in particular nectar, pollen or a combination of both.  (see below for details on plant choices that help or harm). Some pollinators, like hummingbirds, wasps and the larval form of some beetles, eat other insects. Having a diversity of plant types and sizes allows for a diversity of insects which then supports a diversity of other wildlife that depend upon them. Butterflies and moths need leaves for their caterpillar (larval) stage. Some pollinators are general in their food choices, but many are specialists and without their specific plant species present, the pollinator is not able to thrive there. A good example is the Monarch Butterfly that needs milkweed for its caterpillar stage. As an adult, some bees need a certain plant such as goldenrod, for their food source.

Plant choices

While many gardens can look pretty to the human eye, not all are providing an ecological service, especially in supporting our pollinators. When shopping for plants, here are some tips for choosing those that are beneficial:

• Avoid those grown with neonicotinoids as those pesticides remain in the plant and can harm pollinators (and birds that eat their seeds). Neonicotinoids are the new insecticides used to get rid of pests, but research shows beneficial insects are negatively affected in the process. They are applied to seeds, fruits, or vegetables as coatings, sprayed on leaves or added to the soil. This chemical is toxic, and its effects can remain for many months in the plant or soil sometimes throughout the life cycle of the plant and harm the insects that feed on them.
• Avoid those that have been over cultivated to the point of no longer producing nectar and pollen. These flower heads are often very showy with mainly petal-like structures and no noticeable fertile parts, often at the centre of a flower head. An example is the mophead hydrangea.
• Avoid plants that are known to be invasive. Check with your provincial invasive plant or species council.
• Include a diversity of plants with different flower colours, shapes, sizes and bloom times to support the many pollinators and their varied feeding habits and lifecycles.
• Include plants native to your region as they have coevolved with the wildlife of that area and are often their perfect food.

1. B. Water – Did you know bees and other pollinators need water too! You can provide water to some species of butterflies with mudpuddling. This is having an open area of damp sand, manure, compost or earth from which they can drink up minerals. Some insects will drink water from a shallow dish with stones on which to safely perch.! Bees need water to cool their hives, they are vital to the health of our ecosystems as they are responsible for the pollination of many of the flowers we enjoy and the foods we eat. New studies also show that bees get thirsty too and need moisture. Help support bees and other pollinators within your community by building a bee or butterfly bath.

Maintaining your bath is as important as building one. Refresh the water and clean your bath at least once a week or more frequently in warmer months. This prevents the water from becoming too stagnant and becoming a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other insects. To clean your bee bath, simply wash the dish and the stones with a cloth or sponge. If needed, add a small amount of liquid soap and rinse thoroughly. When finished refill the shallow bowl with water.

1. C. Shelter – As with food, our diverse pollinators need an equally diverse options for shelter. With bees alone, they can nest and overwinter in open sunny ground, in cavities like in logs, tree stumps and rock crevices. Some, like leaf cutter bees, need leaves with certain properties for lining their egg chamber.  Others use dried grass or mud. Many butterfly and moth species need leaf litter left under trees into which they can drop down and continue their metamorphosis (process of development). And then there are our hummingbirds that needs certain trees and nesting material (lichen, spider webs, for example) for their nest.

Building an insect hotel will help attract beneficial insects and different species of solitary bees, ladybugs, moths to your garden as they provide shelter for them. An insect hotel consists of a small wooden frame filled with logs or wood block scraps with several holes drilled into them and bundles of natural stalks like bamboo. Some bees remain in bee hotel for a short period of time, while others choose to nest in the bee hotel and overwinter in it. Bee hotels must be managed to prevent the build-up of fungus within the hotel. At the end of the summer season, inspect your bee hotel and identify and blocks which have closed-off drill holes and replace these blocks with new ones. It is good practice to replace all blocks every two years to keep the bee hotel fresh and its occupants happy!

These habitat elements are key but so too is keeping this space safe. Check out the chapter on earth-friendly practices for more information on avoiding pesticides and other practices that mimic nature and benefit us all.

Ties to the curriculum

Grade 4 Ontario Science, Habitats & Communities

Investigate the interdependence of plants and animals within specific habitats and communities

Grade 3 Alberta, Science

Changes to Earth’s surface and human responsibility for protecting the planet

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Task

A) Minds On

1) The teacher will ask, “What do you need to survive?” The students will popcorn answers. The teacher will make 3 lists – but without a title. It could look like this

bed                   vegetables                   fruits

warmth                        bread                           drinks

And then, the teacher will ask the students if the students can place a title above each list. 

The titles would be shelter, food, and water.

2) The students will Think, Pair and Share discuss how these 3 aspects (shelter, food, and water) relate to pollinators. The teacher can expect: bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies need nectar, flies need decaying plants.

B) Learning Activity

3) The students will then examine the “Wild About Pollinators” and “Wild About Butterflies” posters to see what type of food is available for each pollinator. The students will make a list of the pollinators and the food they need.

The list will look like this

Food Source                                                                                 Caterpillars

leaves of cherry, willow, and ash trees, among others.                                       Swallowtail

hickory, but will also feed on walnut, willow, maple, oak                                   Luna Moth

some other trees

milkweed                                                                                                                                   Monarch

thistle, everlasting & sunflower                                                                                       Painted Lady

willow aspen poplar birch                                                                                                  White Admiral

hickory, but will also feed on walnut,

willow, maple, oak, and some other trees                                                                 Viceroy

elm willow cottonwood hackberry                                                                             Mourning cloak

tulip trees, cherry, willow and ash,                                                                            Canadian swallowtail

grasses                                                                                                                                    Arctic Skipper

grasses                                                                                                                                    Northern Pearly Eye

dandelions plantain                                                                                                           Isabella Tiger Moth

dandelion, plantain, nettle, vetch & grasses                                                          Garden Tiger Moth

stinging nettle, wood nettle                                                                                                Red Admiral

nettles                                                                                                                                    Milbert Tortoiseshell

honeysuckle, viburnum, hawthorn and snowberry Hummingbird Clearwing Moth

cabbage, but also broccoli, toothwort, and others in the mustard family. Cabbage Moth

parsley family, including Queen Anne’s lace, carrot, parsley,                        Black Swallowtail

 dill and celery

nectar from flowers                                                                                                bees, butterflies,

           hummingbirds

insects                                                                                                                          hummingbirds

nutrients from damp earth                                                                                 butterflies

nectar and pollen                                                                                                   flies

pollen                                                                                                                          beetle

4) The students will decide which type of pollinators they want to attract, and which ones are available in their location.

5) The students will complete the “Preparing for a Pollinator Garden- Match Up” This activity will help the students envision what different pollinator needs could look like.

6) They will make a list of the needs of their chosen pollinators under food, shelter, and water to see what they need to include in their plan for a pollinator garden.

7) The students will read over the “Tips for Making a Pollinator Garden.” They will use this as a checklist as they plan their garden.

8) The students will make a plan for their pollinator garden, keeping in mind the tip sheet. They will label the plants and items on their plan. The students can use some existing structures from their schoolyard. For example, they may want to locate the garden close to a tree area for shade and moisture in their garden.

9) Students will assess the plans. See “321 Assessment of the Pollinator Garden”

C) Conclusion

10) The students will display their plans for a “Pollinator Garden” for other students to see. Post It Notes and pencils will be placed next to the display for others to add questions and Put Ups about the project.

Assessment

1) see “Assessment of the Pollinator Garden.”

Discussion

1) What type of plants would be interesting to include in your garden? Why would you like to include these plants?

2) What other features do you have in your gardens at home? Can we add any of these to our school garden

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Learning Objectives

· Understand the different habitat needs of pollinators

 Adapt your school garden to meet the needs of pollinators

Method

Students will discover pollinator plants from the poster “Wild About Pollinators” and “Wild About Butterflies.” Then they will investigate how to develop a Pollinator Garden – possibly for their school. They will select the type of pollinators they want to attract and find the right type of plants for them. They will develop a plan for a school garden for pollinators. They will raise interest in the garden by displaying their Garden Plans and asking for comments and questions.

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Continue to Plant a Butterfly Garden »