Pollinator Gardens a Success on Huron-Manistee National Forests

By Dianne Berry on Jun 6, 2009

The importance of pollinators and native plants shared at pollinator gardens on the Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District

Botanists are increasing public awareness about pollinator habitat needs through demonstration sites on the Huron-Manistee National Forests (Michigan). Currently, two large pollinator demonstration habitats and two smaller pollinator garden sites have been established on the Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District.

At each of the two large demonstration gardens, colorful educational signage provides information on the importance of pollinators for food crops and wildflower pollination, as well as historical declines of pollinators. Information also highlights the importance of native plants in providing habitat for pollinators and the risk to pollinators due to displacement from non-native invasive species.

Other signs provide landowners instructional information on the creation of pollinator habitat. Detailed companion brochures for pollinator habitat creation or enhancement, under development, will be placed in brochure receptacles at signage sites.

Additional educational efforts include signage featuring Monarch butterflies, illustrating the critical needs of some pollinators for specific host plants. This new sign also identifies the pollinator gardens as part of the Monarch Waystation network. This program is part of a University of Kansas program promoting Monarch habitat development. Says Manistee National Forest Botanist Pat McGhan, "We are truly grateful to the Pollinator Partnership whose financial backing made our pollinator gardens a reality."