“The recent Empire State Pollinator Survey estimates that at least 38% of NY native pollinators are threatened, possibly as high as 60%.”
WHAT IS THE PHILMONT POLLINATOR PATHWAY?
The Philmont Public Library, with funding from the Partners for Climate Action Hudson Valley and together with our community partners, is establishing a pollinator pathway in Philmont. Our ecosystems and agriculture depend on the services pollinators provide. Unfortunately, native pollinators face increasing threats from habitat loss and fragmentation, pesticides, disease, and climate change. In fact, the recent Empire State Pollinator Survey estimates that at least 38% of NY native pollinators are threatened, possibly as high as 60%. In Philmont, we have the opportunity to create a corridor of habitat and forage sites for our pollinators. Creating a corridor, or “pathway,” of nearby native plants and pollinator-friendly landscapes on Village-owned and residential sites will give our pollinators plenty of food, shelter, and nesting sites to move between.
Together, we can help pollinators thrive in the Village of Philmont!
>> Check out our progress and add your own photos of public and residential gardens here. <<
WHY NATIVE PLANTS?
Native pollinators and native plants evolved together and work together as a pollination system. Pollinators certainly visit and benefit from other plants, but many require particular native plants for nesting and larval development. For example, monarch butterflies drink nectar from a variety of flowers, but they require milkweed to reproduce. There are other great reasons to include native plants in our landscape. They easily flourish here because they are adapted to our climate, soil, and wildlife and often require less water than other ornamental plants. Hardy and drought tolerant plants are important to maintaining beautiful and resilient ornamental landscapes.
JOIN THE PATHWAY
There are many ways you can contribute to pollinator conservation:
In Your Yard: You can take steps to make your own yard pollinator friendly by adding native plants and forgoing pesticide use. If you rent, ask your landlord to add native plants to the landscaping, or plant a container garden. Free native plants and seeds are available from time to time through the Library. And, when purchasing (any) plants from a garden nursery, ensure that they were grown free of systemic pesticides which make the entire plant, including its nectar and pollen, toxic to invertebrates.
In Village Gardens: We need help watering and weeding the Village pollinator gardens throughout the season, and will occasionally hold volunteer garden days. Contact us to sign up!
Share Observations: We want to collect photos and observations from community members on the native pollinators making their home here. Share photos here!
Spread the Word: The pathway will be better the more people participate. Invite neighbors in and around Phimont to participate! If your yard is pollinator-friendly, consider displaying a Philmont Pollinator Pathway yard sign to help spread the word. Contact the Library for a sign.
Learn with Us: Look for programs on native pollinator conservation, citizen science, nature art, pollinator story time, and more! We also have a growing collection of resources on pollinators, native plants, conservation, and climate change available and plenty of tools to borrow to build your own pollinator landscape!
RESOURCES
Coming soon!