Bristol RI Garden Club

What is a Pollinator Pathway?

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The POLLINATOR PATHWAY™ concept began in 2017 in Wilton, CT. Since then, pathways have been established in over 300 towns in 11 states. 

 

Pollinator pathways are public and private pesticide-free corridors of native plants that provide nutrition and habitat for pollinating insects and birds. Even the smallest green spaces, like flower boxes and curb strips, can be part of a pathway. 

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Why are pathways important?

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Recent environment-related issues have been proven to have a direct link to a 90% decline in Monarch Butterflies in the last 10 years. Additionally, a recent study revealed that the population of North American birds has dropped nearly 30% since 1970. That's almost three billion birds gone. Vanished. Some issues include:

 

• Widespread application of pesticides and other chemicals on lawns, landscaped plantings, and agricultural crops have dramatically reduced our pollinator population.

• Climate changes have led to a lack of larval host plants. 

• The loss of habitat as more and more natural environments become urban and suburban throughout the world.

• The spread of invasive (non-native) plants are reducing the food sources for our pollinators.

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What can you do?

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• Rethink your lawn​​

• ​Plant natives​

• Remove invasive plants​

• Avoid pesticides​​​​​​​​​​​​