In just three years, 1,040,000 gardens were registered
with the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge (MPGC) involving an estimated eight million people, concentrated in the United
States, and Canada with some in Mexico, and across the globe. From tiny yards to public gardens, the million plus gardens add up to a
network of approximately five million
acres of enhanced or new pollinator habitat.
Pollinator Gardening Hot Spots,
where high percentages of the local population registered gardens, include: the
desert southwest, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Prescott and Flagstaff, and the
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Arizona metro area. The Smoky Mountain region, which
straddles North Carolina and Tennessee, contributed over 35,000 gardens. These areas, along with St. Louis, Missouri
and others also support high bee density and diversity. Research indicates that the impact of these small-scale
pollinator gardens has added significant support to pollinator abundance and diversity.
Metro areas with the highest number of registered gardens
include Atlanta, Chicago, Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, Philadelphia-Camden, Washington
DC, and New York City.
Launched in June 2015 by the National
Pollinator Garden Network (NPGN), the goal of the MPGC was to create networks
of gardens to help save pollinators, which are responsible for 1 out of 3 food bites
we take each day. “Together, through
collaborative conservation we are restoring pollinator populations that provide
the foundation of our ecosystems and our food supply.” said, Collin O’Mara,
President and CEO of National Wildlife Federation. “When we save wildlife, we
save ourselves”.
With 40% of all invertebrate
pollinator species – particularly bees and butterflies –at risk of extinction (National Research
Council, 2007), NPGN responded as the largest
pollinator conservation effort to engage the horticultural and voluntary
sectors in a major role —offering a hands-on way for citizens to restore and
enhance pollinator habitat.
Co-founding organizations: National Wildlife
Federation; Pollinator Partnership; American Public Gardens Association;
AmericanHort; National Gardening Association; American Seed Trade Association;
National Gardening Bureau; and KidsGardening.org, led the doubling of the NPGN to over 50 conservation, garden trade,
garden club, and voluntary civic and federal partners.
Nancy L. Hargroves, president, National Garden Clubs,
Inc. inaugural NPGN member, stated, “Our 5000 clubs in almost every state are
proud to collaborate with the NPGN. The significant increased awareness and
action for pollinators was not limited to any one project, but combined, has a
greater total impact on the world.”
“Our collective efforts have
accomplished great things for bees, butterflies, and other pollinator species that
play a critical role in our natural world,” says Val Dolcini, president of the Pollinator
Partnership. “From enhancing our food supply to increasing the
biodiversity of our environment, these hard-working pollinators need to be
protected at all costs. By protecting their lives, we’re preserving ours.”
An impact report, released today, indicates the MPGC led to a shift in consumer awareness,
and wider actions such as pro-pollinator pledges, proclamations and policies. Since
the campaign launch, 92 percent of garden centers have seen an increase in
demand for pollinator-friendly plants and services and 86 percent are offering
more pollinator-friendly plants, services, and education. Craig Regelbrugge,
senior vice president of AmericanHort, applauds these efforts. “Leaders in
horticulture have stepped up to meet consumer demand for pollinator friendly
plants and to provide the necessary education about sustainable methods that
support habitat.”
Moving Forward
The 2019 call to action is designed to build on the momentum of
Challenge in two ways
- Expanding garden habitat by asking Americans to plant at least three different pollinator-friendly plants that bloom in three different seasons (spring, summer and fall) to help ensure a consistent food supply for pollinators. The MPGC map will stay open for new registrations, and plant/garden descriptions.
- Track the outcomes of this movement, by encouraging everyone to participate in citizen science projects that help pollinators at https://www.scistarter.org/pollinatorgardens.
“The passion for pollinators is clearly evident. Let’s pass
it on and encourage the 35 million Americans who garden with flowers, to each
put in one new pollinator friendly plant per season each year. Imagine the
transformation!” says Mary Phillips, National Wildlife Federation, NPGN
coordinator.
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