Things Kids Can Do to Help Pollinators

pollinator.org

There's lots of fun stuff for kids over at the Pollinator Week website: yummy things to bake (and eat), a pollinator puzzle, and a tip sheet for Five Things Kids Can Do to Help Pollinators.

It doesn't take much to be kind to pollinators ~ mostly treat them the way you would like to be treated: with respect.

What that means, in people-terms is:

• Give them space. When you see bees or butterflies or hummingbirds busy collecting pollen or nectar, it's OK to watch them. But make sure you're not crowding them. And definitely don't try to touch them when they're working.
• If your family uses poison sprays on the lawn or in the garden, ask them to stop. Sure, that spray may kill weeds, but it also harms pollinators. And when you can, buy organic fruits and vegetables.
• Plant some flowers for the pollinators - native species, if you can. If you're not sure what to plant, contact your local cooperative extension. And if you're planting a butterfly garden, remember to include host plants for caterpillars to eat (we grow milkweed in our garden).