Any basic conservation action, such as using natural resources sparingly, recycling, reducing energy consumption, supporting local agriculture—in general, living more sustainably, will also benefit native pollinators. However, you can take some specific steps that will benefit them directly.
- Protect habitat for nesting, feeding, resting, overwintering, and migration. This includes protecting habitat for all life cycle stages—larvae, pupae, and adult.
- Maintain or restore habitat connectivity to ensure that pollinators have sufficient habitat to meet their needs. Connections between habitat patches also allows for dispersal to new areas.
- Plant native species when possible as native plants and insects have evolved closely together and are best adapted to the needs of many pollinators.
- Minimize use of herbicides and insecticides, and use least-toxic chemicals when pesticides are necessary.
- Embrace unmanicured nature. Value “waste places” like farm hedgerows, old fields and field margins, and roadside embankments as they often provide nesting places for pollinators.
- Help your family, friends, and colleagues understand the importance of pollinators. Advocate for pollinator curricula in your children’s schools. This will go a long way toward countering “bee paranoia,” or “ insect paranoia” in general.