NATIVE PLANT POLLINATOR GARDEN DESIGN TEMPLATES

About the Program

Category: County Resiliency (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

Pollinators are a vital component of natural ecosystems, providing pollination services to over 85% of the world’s flowering plants. The resulting seeds and fruit provide food for countless animals and in turn protects biodiversity. In addition to wild plants, insect pollination is critically tied to our food supply. Pollinators are in decline. Threats to pollinators include habitat loss and degradation, climate change, and the impacts of widespread pesticide use. Howard County Bee City developed six Native Plant Pollinator Garden Design Templates for varying site conditions and included a list of local native plant suppliers. The templates provide information on suggested native plants that work well in various conditions such as sun, shade and moisture and also has specialty templates for cul-de-sac islands. There is also information on which plants are more deer resistant. The Templates allow for additional education and outreach about the importance of sustaining pollinators and their role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. As a complement to this project, we developed a Habitat Registration Form to help track the amount of habitat created through our Bee City efforts and encouraged residents to register their habitat to be counted in the Howard County Pollinator Habitat total. Residents who register their habitat are eligible for a free sign to install in their pollinator habitat.