One Million Gardeners Unite To Protect Bees and Butterflies

Over 1 million homeowners and gardeners from around the world have joined the fight to save dwindling pollinator populations – and you can join the team too.

The National Pollinator Garden Network has surpassed their goal of registered pollinator gardens with just over 1,040,000 gardens now registered with their Million Pollinator Garden Challenge.

Though most of the registered pollinator gardens are in the United States, the ambitious project has also recruited members in Canada, Mexico, and Europe. The registered spaces, most of which are comprised of private yards and public gardens, all add up to a network of approximately 5 million acres of enhanced or new pollinator habitat.

According to the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), one of the project’s partnering organizations, protecting pollinators is crucial to our food supply.

“Together, through collaborative conservation we are restoring pollinator populations that provide the foundation of our ecosystems and our food supply,” said NWF CEO Collin O’Mara. “When we save wildlife, we save ourselves.”

Want To Join?

In order to contribute to the network, gardeners are asked to plant large amounts of pollinator-friendly plants and wild grasses that are both native and non-invasive species. The space should also offer breaks from the wind, exposure to direct sunlight, a watering source, and a minimized amount of pesticides.