JOIN POLLINATOR PATHWAY STAMFORD
Add my property to the map.
I pledge to use best practices in creating healthy spaces for pollinators by:
1. Planting natives (whether in my yard, garden, patio or balcony)
Here’s why: Stamford’s pollinators have co-evolved over thousands of years with plants, shrubs and trees native to this area, creating a sustainable ecosystem. Native plants provide food and habitat for pollinators. Pollinators such as bees transfer pollen from flower to flower. This pollination enables plants, whether in gardens or orchards, to reproduce. In fact, 35% of foods rely on pollination. The roots of natives help filter contaminants from entering the watershed. Planting more natives will help preserve biological diversity in our landscapes.
2. Avoiding pesticides
Here's why: Insecticides kill ticks, mosquitoes, aphids, grubs and the like and herbicides kill weeds, but they often have the unintended consequence of killing beneficial pollinators. They can be harmful to pets and humans, too. Certain pesticides used by lawn care services contain neonicotinoids, the chemicals responsible for the demise of 99% of Connecticut’s bumble bees.
3. Removing invasives
Here’s why: Invasive, non-native plant species are a serious threat to the environment, our health and economy. These species grow and reproduce rapidly, crowding out native plant species and altering the ecological balance on land and in waterways. Eradicating or managing invasive species is a top priority of PPS. Stopping invasives from reproducing at their aggressive rate helps to preserve native plant species and the pollinators they support. Common invasives include Japanese barberry, Multiflora rose, Burning bush, English ivy, Norway maple, and Japanese knotweed.
4. Rethinking my lawn
Here’s why: Turf lawns provide little to no habitat for pollinators; add millions of pounds of fertilizer and pesticides chemicals to wetlands, streams, rivers and the Long Island Sound; have too shallow of a root system to effectively filter stormwater runoff; and use billions of gallons of water a day nationally. Even small steps toward reducing the size of turf lawns and mowing less will help protect myriad wildlife.