Creating a buzz Six area pollinator gardens take part in national event

It might not look like much yet, but the new pollinator garden at Beltzville State Park is a powerful example of the difference one person or group can make in the fight to save pollinators.

Tucked behind Beltzville's Environmental Interpretive Center, the garden doesn't take much space. It also turned a portion of the interpretive center's lawn into garden, turning a stretch of grass into a future pollinator haven.

The garden was planted by the Friends of Beltzville State Park, a volunteer organization under the Pennsylvania Parks and Forest Foundation. The Friends group is one of more than a half-dozen groups and speakers taking part in National Pollinator Week, which will be celebrated in Carbon County with one day of events on June 25.

"We can say that the plight of pollinators is not a problem. This is not a problem, but a chance to be part of the solution," said Friends of Beltzville Chairwoman Diane Szwajkowski. "One local family, one child, one group can make a difference."

National Pollinator Week

National Pollinator Week was initiated nearly a decade ago by the Pollinator Partnership to raise awareness of pollinator declines, and to educate communities on the importance of all pollinators - including bees, birds, butterflies, bats and beetles.

Colony Collapse Disorder was first recognized in 2006, when beekeepers noticed a large number of their bees were simply disappearing. Winter deaths of bees have also been particularly high in recent years. CCD and other issues causing a decrease in pollinator populations are believed to be caused partially by loss of habitat and an increased use of chemicals and pesticides. But even if the cause of pollinator declines isn't well understood, the solution so far has been to educate the public about how they can support pollinator health.

"We're a part of the bigger picture. We're just not individuals, wanting things for ourselves," said Szwajkowski.

She added that if you don't think pollinators benefit you, consider your favorite foods. If you enjoy chocolate, coffee or most types of fruit (in addition to flowers and countless other foods), you'll benefit from a healthy pollinator population.

The Friends of Beltzville will celebrate its anniversary next month. The pollinator garden was one of their first projects and was chosen because it would have a direct impact on the park and environment, and because it was an affordable project.

"It requires our time and effort, but not a lot of money," said Szwajkowski. "I see the garden as a project in the works. It's a six-year project. The garden is going to grow, and we're hoping the crowds grow with it."

Friends of Beltzville has consulted local master gardeners, as well as using DCNR's iConserve materials, to learn more about pollinators and native plants. The group also received help from local school students when working in the garden and hopes to involve children of all ages in the project.

"If we can get kids excited and involved, they might want to come back to see the things they've planted," she said. "We're looking for ways to engage students in the pollinator conversation."

More than flowers

In addition to a chance to see the very early stages of this pollinator garden, Beltzville will also host a lecture on the importance of trees to pollinators and a tree walk.

When we think of pollinators, we usually think of flowers, nectar and pollen - but trees can play an equally important role in helping pollinators survive.

"In addition to the nectar and pollen that pollinators need, they also need a nesting site. Trees can provide that nesting site," said Diane Giffels, a Carbon County master gardener who will speak on the importance of trees at Beltzville on June 25.

"There are a lot of beetles and native bees that will nest in trees."

Giffels noted that while most people think of honey bees and their man-made hives when they think of pollinators, honey bees are originally from Europe and not native to our area. There are more than 4,000 species of native bees in the United States. These bees do not typically use hives, but nest in trees and similar habitats - and while these native bees are not technically facing CCD, they are facing similar struggles to survive.

"In addition to nesting sites, pollinators also need leaves," added Giffels. "A lot of moths and butterflies require leaves as food for the larva stage of their development. Trees are also home to a lot of insects that birds and bats will eat. Even hummingbirds, although they're great pollinators, need insects to feed their young. They don't get those insects from flowers."

What you can do

Both Giffels and Szwajkowski encourage local residents to consider what they can do to support local pollinators. That might mean attending a Pollinator Week event on June 25, or planting a tree or pollinator-friendly garden with native plants.

"If only one person in the country did something, not much would happen. If everyone did something, it could be huge," said Giffels.

"In particular, planting native plants is ideal. When we make choices as to what we want to plant on our property, if more people chose native plants as opposed to hybrids or exotic plants meant for different climates, that alone could be huge."

She noted that it doesn't take much space to make a difference. A large window box could support pollinators, as could planting a small garden in place of lawn - or even just choosing to avoid chemicals on your lawn and allowing "weeds" such as clover to thrive.

"Lawn is so overrated, and so time- and money-intensive. You're doing nothing for the environment and nothing for birds or insects or bees. Choosing to plant less grass is an excellent way for a homeowner to help the pollinators," said Giffels. "I do have a lawn, but I don't put any food on it. I have a lot of weeds, but those weeds are what I call pollinator food."