Take the Pollinator Habitat Inventory Checklist to Evaluate Your Habitat. 

Pollinator Habitat Inventory

Name(s): ______________________________ Date: __________________________

Habitat: __________________________

Answer the following questions to evaluate your pollinator habitat.

Is there a diversity of blooming flowers available in different seasons?  Yes or No

Tip: Pollinators appreciate seasonal blooms that provide continuous nectar flow.

Are you using only native plants? Yes or No

Tip: Native plants and animals evolve together in a relationship. Provide native plants that offer nectar in exchange for pollination services.

Are you limiting areas of mowed lawn? Yes or No

Tip: Avoid lawn in a wildlife habitat as it is largely useless to wildlife and often requires mowing, watering, and fertilizing.

Is shelter available for nesting sites? Yes or No

Tip: Pollinators can be offered shelter in the form of leaf litter or nest boxes and hollow tubes.

Is shelter available for overwintering insects? Yes or No

Tip: Wait until spring to landscape your habitat as many pollinators overwinter attached to and in leaf stems or leaf litter. Waiting may also allow time for certain plants to release their seeds.

Is there a water feature? Yes or No

Tip: Pollinators appreciate an easy drink in the way of a mud puddle, saucer pan or slow drip.

Are you avoiding pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides? Yes or No

Tip: Chemical applications may not be healthy for plants, pollinators, or people.

Do you have a viewing area to enjoy and study your pollinators? Yes or No

Tip: Share your garden with friends and relatives to encourage others to duplicate your efforts.

If you answer no to any of the above questions, research and consider how you can enhance your habitat.

Pollinator Information & Improvement Resources

Available on the Web:

• Pollinator Partnership: Find out about how to create gardens designed to attract and conserve our important pollinators.
• Selecting Plants for Pollinators in the Eastern Broadleaf Forest
• Xerces Society:  A nonprofit organization that protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitat. For forty years, the Society has been at the forefront of invertebrate protection worldwide, harnessing the knowledge of scientists and the enthusiasm of citizens to implement conservation programs.
• Monarch Watch:  Find information about creating and certifying a Monarch Waystation or location for migratory insects to stop, rest, and fuel up before they continue their journey.

Available in Print:

• Pollinator Conservation Handbook by the Xerces Society
• Butterfly Gardening: Creating Summer Magic in Your Garden by the Xerces Society
• Native Plants of the Northeast: A Guide for Gardening and Conservation by Donald J. Leopold
• Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America by Eric R. Eaton and Kenn Kaufman

Buying Wildflower Seeds:

• Ernst Conservation Seeds & Ernst Southern Native Seeds: Ask about their Pollinator Mixes.
• Live Monarch:  You can order milkweed seeds and other supplies for Monarch rearing.  The packets can even be customized with the organization’s contact information for giveaways or sales.  Monarchs are often the charismatic stepping stone to additional insect conservation efforts.

Pollinator Grants:

• Pollinator Live: http://pollinatorlive.pwnet.org/gardening/grants.php

David Alexander is author of the Buzz Into Action & Hop Into Action Science Curricula.  He specializes in making nature accessible to people and wildlife.  You can follow him at www.natureintoaction.com