We are experiencing global crises regarding the reduction of pollinators, the insect Armageddon and overall threats to biodiversity. Many of us know about the decline in monarch butterflies, but there are many other pollinators, such as wild bees, bumblebees, hover flies, wasps and others, that are threatened because of loss of habitat and use of insecticides.
We can take action at the local level, beginning with three simple measures:
1. Plant native plants, especially pollinator plants.
2. Reduce the size of our lawns.
3. Eliminate the use of insecticides and pesticides.
These are the actions called for by a new coalition of garden clubs, conservation organizations, master gardeners, libraries and county legislators who want to make an impact in Suffolk County — the Suffolk Alliance for Pollinators. Not only do we need more pollinator gardens, we also need pollinator pathways that connect gardens to help foraging insects and birds thrive.
Roxanne Zimmer of the Cornell Cooperative Extension came up with the idea of pulling together the organizations and people who care about these issues to work together to support each other. This is a voluntary effort, a loose coalition and alliance, designed to complement the work of the Suffolk County Legislature’s Pollinator Pathway Task Force. The goal is to share resources, prevent “reinventing the wheel,” and find new ways to inspire and educate the nongardening public so that we can create a robust Pollinator Pathway throughout Suffolk County.
The first organizing meeting took place in early February. Because Suffolk County is a large area, we broke into four groups to enable people who live close to each other to work together.
Joan DiMonda of the Horticultural Alliance of the Hamptons and Marisa Nelson of the Quogue Wildlife Refuge are leading the team for the East End. In addition to garden clubs, some of the organizations involved to date include the Peconic Land Trust, ChangeHamptons, Quogue Wildlife Refuge, Save the Great South Bay, and Rewild LI, among many others.
Stay tuned for more information about SAP — there will be many ways to participate.
This is an enormous issue, but the actions of concerned citizens can make a difference.
Alicia Whitaker
Susanne Jansson
Westhampton Garden Club
Both Whitaker and Jansson are members of the Suffolk Alliance for Pollinators — Ed.
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