Curiosity Weekly Your Garden Is Not an Island: How to Protect Pollinators
Oct 22, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Dr. Harland Patch, an expert in agricultural sciences, sheds light on the alarming decline of insect populations and the crucial role of pollinators in our ecosystems. He shares insights on effective urban gardening practices to support pollinator diversity and explains the differences between ground and stem-nesting bees. Dr. Patch emphasizes the importance of native plants and highlights the overlooked pollinators like flies and beetles. Tune in to learn how we can all contribute to restoring habitats for these vital creatures!
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Rewilding Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All
- Rewilding means reintroducing species then stepping back, but that model fits large mammals more than insects.
- For pollinators, ongoing human management is usually required to maintain floral resources and habitats.
Provide Food And Nesting Together
- Provide both diverse flowering plants for food and appropriate nesting sites for bees.
- Preserve open ground for ground-nesting bees and dead wood or built structures for cavity nesters.
Make Cities Pollinator-Friendly
- In cities, add diverse flowering plants and niche habitats to support pollinators amid urban disturbance.
- Urban areas can host high pollinator diversity if pesticide inputs and management consider biodiversity.