The Importance of Works Cited In Lancaster County “ for Pollinators” United States Forest Service. United States Department of Agriculture. Native The ag industry brings upwards of 4 billion dollars Web. June 23, 2016. into the local economy annually, making Lancaster one of the most productive agricultural centers in Gillis, Jim. “The Importance of Pollinators” Natural the nation. The success of the ag industry means Resources Conservations Service: Pennsylvania. Guide the success of Lancaster’s economy and, more United States Department of Agriculture. Web. June 22, 2016. importantly, its culture and community. For this reason, it is critical that we, as a community, work Kremen, C. Thorp, R. Williams, N. “ Pollination Franklin & Marshall to support agriculture in Lancaster as best we can. by Native Bees at Risk from Agricultural College Intensification” Princeton University. 2002. What are Pollinators? Missouri Finder. Missouri Botanical . Web. June 10, 2016. Pollinators are responsible for transferring from one flower to another for fertilization. They Native , North Creek Nurseries. 2015. Web. A general guide to the include a variety of animals including most June 13, 2016 notably bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and importance of native beetles. This step allows for the development of NPIN: Native Plant Database. Lady Bird Johnson pollinator gardens in many fruits and vegetables and supplies the seeds Wildflower Center, University of Texas at Austin. 2014. Web. June 10, 2016. supporting our native bee for the next generation of plants. and butterfly populations Check out the complete guide to native Pollinators and Agriculture in Lancaster County pollinator gardens on the F&M website!

Some locally grown , such as blueberries and cherries, are more than 90% dependent on animal pollinators. Even in crops that are capable of self pollination, animal pollinators increase the genetic diversity and general strength and robustness of the crop. A healthy pollinator population results in a healthier crop and increased yields. The Purpose of Native Pollinator How to Best Cultivate Your Native Native Pollinator Plants Gardens Pollinator Garden Some plants native to Lancaster County Pollinator Populations in Danger and great way to start planning your 1. Find Your Region: The best way to attract native Recently the European honey bee, far and away the pollinators is with native plants, so the first step native pollinator garden. most important insect pollinator for the pollination to creating your native pollinator garden is to Determine which plants are native to your of domesticated crops, has experienced a dramatic Wild Flowers: region. Using a field guide or even a simple reduction in population due to an epidemic known Aster, Black-eyed Susan, Butterfly weed, Internet search is sure to provide plenty of Common milkweed, Field goldenrod, as Colony Collapse Disorder, or CCD, likely caused options! Foxglove beardtongue, Golden ragwort, by overuse of on agricultural fields. Purple coneflower, Hollyhock, Mallows, Native pollinators such as bees and butterflies are 2. Establish Your Soil Type: Test your soil for its Sunflower, Swamp milkweed, Violets, Tall capable of fully pollinating crops, however the use acidity, nutrient content, and drainage in order verbena, Threadleaf coreopsis, Woodland of pesticides and monocropping has reduced their to ensure you are selecting plants that with phlox, Blue eyed grass, Spiderwort habitat and put their populations in danger. thrive your soil conditions. You can do this using a soil testing kit from a hardware store. Herbs: Why Grow a Native Pollinator Garden? Dill, Fennel, Parsley, Mountain mint 3. Variety is Key: There is a large variety of Growing a native pollinator garden will help expand pollinators attracted to a variety of plants. Shrubs: native pollinator habitat and allow their Choose plants of different sizes, shapes, colors, Alumroot, Coontie, False Indigo, Spicebush, and scents as to ensure that your garden populations to grow while bringing them in close Culver’s Root, Meadowsweet, Trumpet contains plants that are attractive and accessible proximity to crops in need of pollination. In turn honeysuckle, Wild petunia, Turtle head to as many pollinator species as possible. this will reduce dependence on the european honey Trees: bee, support native species and habitats, and cut 4. Go Organic: Using organic gardening practices Aspen, Cherry, Flowering Dogwood, Eastern agricultural costs. will reduce the threats of Colony Collapse Redbud, Common Pawpaw, Poplar, Prickly Disorder and prevent repelling the very Ash, Sassafras, Sweet Bay, Willow, Witch Why native, Why Organic, Why pollinators you are trying to attract. Hazel Polycropping 5. Host Plants: One way to ensure you are attracting Local pollinators have evolved over millennia to pollinators is to use the native host plants for Additional Resources seek out and depend on the plants of their native butterflies, such as milkweed for Monarchs.

habitats, and in addition, many butterfly species Franklin and Marshall College - Native 6. Pro Tips: Include old dead wood or pieces of utilize very specific native wildflowers as their Pollinator Garden Guide lumber with holes drilled inside to provide a Pennsylvania Native Plant Society caterpillar host plants. The use of pesticides can nesting area for native bees. Providing overripe Pennsylvania Plant Database repel native insect pollinators and can dramatically or rotting fruits will help in attracting butterflies, reduce the health of a colony from chemically and supplying sugar water in a hummingbird Lancaster Conservancy Native Species induced disease. Finally, polycropping provides feeder will bring hummingbirds to your garden Gardens With Wings - Butterfly Host Plants consistent sources of and pollen for native in droves. pollinators throughout the year.