Why are pollinators important?
U.S. farms and gardens raise over 100 important crops that either need or benefit from native pollinators! The economic impact of these important insects is estimated at over $3 billion/year in the U.S. alone.
Unfortunately, our essential native pollinators are at risk from habitat loss, pesticide use, and introduced diseases.
Discover how you can become part of the solution by enriching your surroundings with native flowering plants and reducing/eliminating the use of pollinator-harmful pesticides. The links below will help you learn more about these important creatures and how you can help them thrive once more.
Identification
Knowing who is visiting your garden is important to understanding who is missing.
- Citizen Science Guide to Wild Bees and Floral Visitors in Western Washington (pdf)
- Field Guide to Common Puget Sound Native Bees (pdf)
- Introduction to Cavity-Nesting Bees in the Puget Sound Region (pdf)
- Common Bee Pollinators of Oregon Crops (pdf)
- Washington Bumble Bees in Home Yards and Gardens (pdf)
- Megachilid Bees in the Pacific Northwest (pdf)
- Bee Basics-Introduction to Native Bees USDA (pdf)
- Seven Native Bees to Know in Washington State (webpage)
- Orchard Mason Bee (pdf)
- How to Manage the Blue Orchard Bee (pdf)
Plants & Habitat
Learn what our native pollinators need for food, nesting, rearing young, and overwintering.
- Pollinator Conservation Resources: Pacific Northwest Region (webpage)
- Enhancing Nest Sites For Native Bee Crop Pollinators (pdf)
- Pollinator Plants – Maritime Northwest Region (pdf)
- Constructing Backyard Bee Hotels (pdf)
- Gardening for Pollinators (webpage)
- 12 Plants to Entice Pollinators to Your Garden (webpage)
- Native Plants for Hummingbirds (pdf)
Pesticides & Pollinators
In addition to habitat loss, pesticide overuse and misuse contribute to a decline in our native pollinators.
- How to Reduce Bee Poisoning from Pesticides (pdf)
- Guidance to Protect Habitat from Pesticide Contamination (pdf)
- How Neonicotinoids Can Kill Bees (pdf)
- Organic Pesticides (pdf)
Pollinator Pages & Organizations
- Bumblebee Links (webpage) – Includes plans for nest boxes, rearing, etc.
- Native Bee Links (webpage) – broad range of information on native bees
- Pollinators (webpage) – everything pollinator from USDA
- Xerces Society (website) – huge selection of publications, resources
- Washington Native Bee Society (website)
- Documents and Resources for Pollinator Conservation (pdf) from NRCS
- Pollinator Partnership (website)
(Link update 04/27/2024 Dave Pehling)