We need pollinators…and they need us!
In the United States, pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds are responsible for 75 percent of our food supply. That is one of every three bites of food we eat! Pollinators are critical to our food supply and the plant diversity we find in nature, yet across the nation, they are disappearing.
This is the case for bees – like the hundreds of species of native bees that pollinate so many of our food crops – as well as iconic species like the monarch butterfly. The good news is, we can help! Creating habitat for pollinators in your yard or school garden is one important action you can take to help them thrive.
Below is some information about our Milkweed for Monarchs program, as well as collaborative work we are involved with to support pollinator health.
Milkweed for Monarchs
The RCD’s Milkweed for Monarchs program is all about creating more habitat for monarch butterflies and other pollinators by planting milkweed. Planting milkweed provides essential habitat for Monarchs, and also provides the opportunity to observe the life cycle of these fascinating insects.
Milkweed is the host plant for monarchs. Female butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed leaves, and it is the sole food source of monarch caterpillars. The number of monarch butterflies counted at overwintering sites in California and Mexico has decreased by about 95% since the 1980s! We also are experiencing a major loss of milkweed plants in monarchs’ spring and summer breeding areas, due to factors like urban and agricultural development and the use of herbicides in farming, pastures, and along roadways.
By planting butterfly host plants such as milkweeds and a diverse array of flowering plants in school gardens, community gardens, and front and back yards, we create new habitat for Monarch butterflies and other pollinators.
The RCD has narrowleaf milkweed seeds to share with schools and residents in San Diego County who want to create pollinator habitat. We can also sometimes offer narrowleaf milkweed plants to schools, as well as other information and resources to assist with pollinator gardens.
Sign up for our school garden email newsletter to receive announcements about available resources!
San Diego Pollinator Alliance
The RCD is a founding member of the San Diego Pollinator Alliance (SDPA), a group of organizations and agencies working together to protect pollinators in San Diego County. Other members include Butterfly Farms, Sky Mountain Permaculture, the California Native Plant Society – San Diego Chapter, US Fish & Wildlife Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The SDPA aims to increase native pollinator habitat and awareness about pollinator-friendly practices throughout San Diego County through outreach, education, and on-the-ground programs.
Do you want to find out how to attract beneficial pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds into your garden? The San Diego Pollinator Alliance is developing a series of native demonstration pollinator gardens across the county to give residents ideas on how to create pollinator habitat at home. A demonstration pollinator habitat has been planted a Sike’s Adobe within the San Dieguito River Park. The garden is open to all park users – stop by and take a look! We are also looking for schools interested in planting pollinator habitat – please get in touch if your school would like to get involved.
The Pollinator Pathway
The SDPA hosts a thriving demonstration pollinator habitat at the San Diego County Fair called the Pollinator Pathway. Built in 2015, it is now a permanent feature within the Fair’s Infield Farm. The Pollinator Pathway is open every day of the Fair (all of the month of June until July 4 each year). If you are visiting the Fair, stop by and learn about low water use, California native plants that provide essential habitat for our hardworking pollinators. The exhibit also features a butterfly free-flight house and a honey bee display.
Pollinator Alliance members and volunteers act as docents to give garden tours and talk with visitors about plant choices to support pollinators and beautify your yard. Please contact us if you are interested in participating as a docent.
Pollinator Health Resources
Monarch and pollinator conservation:
- Butterfly Farms: education and conservation organization and nursery all on one site. Come visit their butterfly free flight house and buy pollinator plants for your garden.
- Monarch Joint Venture: a national partnership of federal and state agencies, non-governmental organizations, businesses, and academic programs working together to conserve the monarch butterfly migration.
- Monarch Watch: a wealth of information about monarchs – creating habitat, citizen science, migration, biology, and more.
- The Xerces Society: an organization dedicated to the protection of wildlife through supporting invertebrates. They offer information and resources about issues affecting monarchs and other pollinators and what you can do to help these vital insects.
Native plant resources
- California Native Plant Society – San Diego Chapter: organization dedicated to increasing understanding, appreciation and conservation of California’s fascinating variety of native plants in their natural environment and in horticultural settings. “Gardening with Natives” and “How-To Brochures” links on their website have lots of info on native plants and butterflies.
- Recon Native Plants: a wholesale nursery specializing in growing California native plants. The nursery holds public plant sales four times per year.
Milkweed seed sowing and plant care instructions:
- Milkweed Care: our leaflet on how to sow and care for milkweed seeds.
- Planting Milkweed: a quick guide to planting milkweed plants.
Creating pollinator habitat:
- Establishing Pollinator Meadows from Seed: a guide from the Xerces Society on how to create your own pollinator meadow.
- Gardening for Monarchs fact sheet: tips from Monarch Joint Venture on attracting monarchs (and other pollinators) to your yard.
- Monarch Waystations: a certification for gardens that provide the resources that monarchs (and other pollinators) need. By registering as a Monarch Waystation, you join a national network of pollinator habitats.
Citizen science programs:
- Journey North: a country-wide monarch monitoring program. Report your monarch sightings and check out their interactive map of sightings so far this year!
- Monarch Citizen Science programs: an overview of monarch citizen science contributions and programs across the United States, including information on how to get involved. (link to document title Monarch citizen science overview)
- RCD Milkweed for Monarchs iNaturalist project: join this project and contribute observations of monarchs in your gardens.
Monarch Butterfly “Tag-and-Release” Event: North County students and elected officials enjoy a chance to get up close with Monarch Butterflies at this fun and informative event hosted by Butterfly Farms, the RCD, and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.