June 22–28 is National Pollinator Week, and as Ypsilanti is a registered participant of Bee City USA, here are some things community members can do to support the ecosystem.
Bonnie Wessler, the director of the department of public works for the City of Ypsilanti, said there are many things residents can do to support pollinators. The first is to understand why pollinators are important, Wessler said.
Pollinator Partnership is an organization that strives to educate people on pollinators and work to conserve ecosystems. The term pollinator doesn't just mean bees; it refers to any animal that helps plants reproduce by carrying pollen from plant to plant. This includes wasps, butterflies, beetles, birds, bats and other small mammals. The pollination process is important because it fosters the growth of vegetables, fruits and nuts.
Wessler said another way to support pollinators is to grow pollinator-friendly plants. These would be native flowers such as goldenrod, purple coneflowers and joe-pye weed. It is also important to remember that a lot of trees have flowering phases, Wessler said, like oak trees that are vital to local ecosystems. To ensure any native garden is protected from citations, residents can register for a native vegetation garden.
“People think of them as weeds, but they are really not weeds. They are native plants and they have important roles to play in the ecosystem,” Wessler said.
Another way to help pollinators is to provide nest sites such as shrubs and trees or patches of flat, bare ground, Wessler said. Because birds' nests can be anywhere, make sure to be careful when walking, mowing or doing any lawn maintenance outside, Wessler said.
“Nesting sites can be almost anywhere, as long as we give birds space to rear their young and a safe habitat for them,” Wessler said.
It’s also important to be careful with pesticides; they should only be used in limited circumstances, Wessler said, and in certain temperatures and weather conditions.
“Use pesticides and herbicides in a responsible manner, to control target species and not just spraying them all over your garden and lawn,” Wessler said.
For residents who love honey and wish to harvest their own, beekeeping permits can be filed with the city.
Other ways to celebrate Pollinator Week in Washtenaw County include bumblebee hikes. The first one is Wednesday, June 24, from 1-3 p.m. at Draper-Houston Meadows Preserve in Milan. The second one is Saturday, June 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at County Farm Park in Ann Arbor.
This push to support pollinators is due to diseases that affect honeybees, Wessler said. Varroa mites infest hives during the winter when the bees are more dormant, and then they take out the hive, Wessler said.
Ypsilanti will continue to have events throughout the year to support the pollinators, such as Rumble of the Bumble in the fall. The Mutual Aid Network of Ypsilanti is also installing a wet meadow in Riverside Park, Wessler said.
Though Pollinator Week is important, supporting the pollinators is a year-long effort, and people should be helpful every day, Wessler said.
“It is just the small actions each of us can take,” Wessler said.
For more information on how to support pollinators, visit Pollinator Partnership, Bee City USA and Xerces Society.
