“You can’t look at the Earth as a place to conquer,” said Doug Berube, Senior Field Biologist at The Dawes Arboretum. “We’re all passengers on this same rock that’s flying around the sun at 27,000 miles an hour...we’re no more privileged than any other creature, and they were here before us. They have as much of a right to be alive.”
Berube is referring to the inherent connection humans have with nature, specifically how insects and animals help sustain human lives through pollination.
In honor of 250 years since 1776, the Ohio Commission for the U.S. Semi quincentennial (America 250) has chosen a different theme each month to highlight and celebrate Ohio's rich history. Learn about pollinators to celebrate the monthly theme: Ohio Outdoors: Exploring Ohio’s Natural Resources.
Although it began as National Pollinator Week in 2007, the effort has since grown into an entire month to celebrate the insects (and sometimes mammals) that pollinate our planet.
What is pollination?
Pollination is the act of transferring pollen grains from the male anther of a flower to the female stigma. Successful pollination can result in fertilization of a flower and the growth of seed or fruit, which allows food for humans to grow.
Much of our food is from plants that are pollinated, according to Berube. Our World in Data found that pollinators were essential for fruits including kiwi, melons, pumpkins and watermelons. Pollinators are also essential for Brazil nuts and cocoa beans (which is where chocolate comes from).
Pollinators are on the decline. The Earth loses 2-3% of pollinators every year. One of the largest reasons for loss, according to Berube, is habitat loss.
“It’s the loss of native plants,” he said. “Without those, you’ll lose the specialty pollinators that are important.”
A few other reasons for the decline are climate change, disease and pesticides.
Berube said a few misconceptions he’s heard about pollinators is that bees are out to sting people, that caterpillars are going to destroy plants, and that native plants aren’t going to be as nice as the ones you can buy at a garden center. Here’s what he has to say for each misconception:
- Bees: Berube said that only the females have stingers. “Unless you go out and grab one, (I walk amongst them all day), we are not the bee's food. They’re not out looking for you.”
- Caterpillars: He said that you’re not going to have enough native caterpillars to ruin your plants, and they are food for birds which help will keep the numbers in check.
- Native Plants: “You can shop nativars (native cultivars) and the only changes are the color or the height, and pollinators still come to it. You can even come see them here at Dawes.”
What does Dawes do? What can I do?
The Arboretum is focused on being a part of the solution for pollinators which includes working on pollinator gardens, prairie restorations and educating its members and guests on how to be a part of the solution.
Additionally, The Arboretum’s Science & Research Team uses herbicides in a unique way to care for the trees while at the same time, caring for the pollinators. They dab herbicides on the stumps, so there’s no overspray or spreading.
Dawes also participants in one of the longest and largest studies that has been monitoring butterfly activity for the past 23 years. The study has been used worldwide and has supported the findings that the pollinator population is declining.
Are you wondering what you can do to support pollinators? Berube said that the changes don’t have to be big – but they must be there.
“We teach all of our members and guests that they can be a part of the solution,” said Berube. “They can be a part of the solution by planting pollinator gardens in their yard...if everyone were to put in a garden, you would make a connector path (for the pollinators) and escape fragmentation of businesses and roadways.”
Dedicated staff at The Arboretum are committed to creating environments that support these pollinators. Some key areas at Dawes to see pollinators are the newly restored Rolling Hills Wetland and the Woodland Garden in the spring. Red Barn Reserve and Dutch Fork Wetlands, both free areas to the public, are great places to see native plants.
As far as Berube is concerned, a completely manicured lawn is dead space in the perspective of Mother Nature.
“They’re not controlling nature,” he said. “They’re killing it."