Pollinator Counts Expected Across Five US States August 22-23

Native bees, crucial pollinators alongside honeybees, are experiencing significant population declines across North America due to habitat loss, pesticides, viruses, and parasites. Unlike honeybees, native bees lack human protection and rely heavily on natural habitats, which gardeners can help support by providing native plants, continuous blooms from early spring to late fall, water sources, and nesting sites. Waterford City and County Council is promoting pollinator health by hosting a free pollinator planting workshop in Portlaw to educate the public on how to support these vital insects. Tall garden phlox, a hardy native perennial that blooms in late summer, is highlighted as a beneficial plant for pollinators, though gardeners should manage it to prevent powdery mildew. Monitoring and increasing native bee populations is important as they play a significant but often underappreciated role in food production and ecosystem health. Community actions like planting pollinator-friendly gardens and attending educational workshops can make a meaningful difference in sustaining native bee populations.