The Pollinator Habitat Program is a community-led effort. We get residents, volunteers, and partnering organizations together to create gardens that provide a healthy habitat for birds, bees, butterflies, and many other pollinators. Pollinators are extremely important to the health of our environment and our ability to produce food. With air pollution, climate change, pesticides, habitat destruction, diseases, etc., contributing to a significant decline in pollinator species -- it is even more crucial that we cultivate and care for healthy urban habitats.
Our Pollinator Habitat Program also fosters youth leadership skills. It is one of the focuses of our Lents Youth Initiative interns and gives youth the opportunity to explore the intersections of food access and environmental justice. They help coordinate community outreach efforts and site preparation, among other activities.
Since 2012 we have established over 15 sites. The first one, the Yukon pilot project at SE 103rd and Yukon, transformed a bioswale into a pollinator habitat with help from residents and the Bureau of Environmental Services. Not only is this site important for capturing stormwater, but it also is home to many beneficial insects and native plants. We also have a pollinator habitat at Malden Court Community Orchard and five ROSE Community Development properties.
In total, 3500 sq ft of weedy and paved area have been converted to pesticide-free pollinator habitat areas, with features for pollinator nesting and flowers blooming from Spring through Fall. A volunteer/homeowner pollinator monitoring guidebook was created in 2013.
Our Pollinator Habitat Program also fosters youth leadership skills. It is one of the focuses of our Lents Youth Initiative interns and gives youth the opportunity to explore the intersections of food access and environmental justice. They help coordinate community outreach efforts and site preparation, among other activities.
Since 2012 we have established over 15 sites. The first one, the Yukon pilot project at SE 103rd and Yukon, transformed a bioswale into a pollinator habitat with help from residents and the Bureau of Environmental Services. Not only is this site important for capturing stormwater, but it also is home to many beneficial insects and native plants. We also have a pollinator habitat at Malden Court Community Orchard and five ROSE Community Development properties.
In total, 3500 sq ft of weedy and paved area have been converted to pesticide-free pollinator habitat areas, with features for pollinator nesting and flowers blooming from Spring through Fall. A volunteer/homeowner pollinator monitoring guidebook was created in 2013.