[Pollinator] More Than One Million Strong: National Pollinator Garden Network

[Isaac L]

*More Than One Million Strong: National Pollinator Garden Network *

*Surpasses Goal of One Million Registered Pollinator Gardens*



RESTON, VA. (February 26, 2019​) – In just three years, *1,040,000 gardens
were **registered* with the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge (MPGC)
involving an *estimated **eight million people*, concentrated in the United
States, and Canada with some in Mexico, and across the globe. From tiny
yards to public gardens, the million plus gardens add up to a network
of *approximately
five million acres of enhanced or new pollinator habitat*.



*Pollinator Gardening Hot Spots*, where high percentages of the local
population registered gardens, include: the desert southwest, Santa Fe, New
Mexico, Prescott and Flagstaff, and the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Arizona
metro area. The Smoky Mountain region, which straddles North Carolina and
Tennessee, contributed over 35,000 gardens.  These areas, along with St.
Louis, Missouri and others also support high bee density and diversity.
Research <http://millionpollinatorgardens.org/impact/> indicates that the
impact of these small-scale pollinator gardens has added significant
support to pollinator abundance and diversity.



Metro areas with the highest number of registered gardens include Atlanta,
Chicago, Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, Philadelphia-Camden, Washington DC, and New
York City.



Launched in June 2015 by the National Pollinator Garden Network (NPGN), the
goal of the MPGC was to create networks of gardens to help save
pollinators, which are responsible for 1 out of 3 food bites we take each
day. “Together, through collaborative conservation we are restoring
pollinator populations that provide the foundation of our ecosystems and
our food supply.” said, Collin O’Mara, President and CEO of National
Wildlife Federation. “When we save wildlife, we save ourselves”.



With 40% of all invertebrate pollinator species – particularly bees and
butterflies –at risk of extinction (National Research Council, 2007), NPGN
responded as *the **largest pollinator conservation effort to engage the
horticultural and voluntary sectors in a major role* —offering a hands-on
way for citizens to restore and enhance pollinator habitat.  Co-founding
organizations: National Wildlife Federation; Pollinator Partnership;
American Public Gardens Association; AmericanHort; National Gardening
Association; American Seed Trade Association; National Gardening Bureau;
and KidsGardening.org, led the doubling of the NPGN to over 50
conservation, garden trade, garden club, and voluntary civic and federal
partners.



Nancy L. Hargroves, president, National Garden Clubs, Inc. inaugural NPGN
member, stated, “Our 5000 clubs in almost every state are proud to
collaborate with the NPGN. The significant increased awareness and action
for pollinators was not limited to any one project, but combined, has a
greater total impact on the world.”



“Our collective efforts have accomplished great things for bees,
butterflies, and other pollinator species that play a critical role in our
natural world,” says Val Dolcini, president of the Pollinator
Partnership. “From enhancing our food supply to increasing the biodiversity
of our environment, these hard-working pollinators need to be protected at
all costs. By protecting their lives, we’re preserving ours.”



An impact report,
<http://millionpollinatorgardens.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Million-Pollinator-Garden-Challenge-Report-FINAL-FOR-WEB-022519v2.pdf>
released today, indicates the MPGC led to a shift in consumer awareness,
and wider actions such as pro-pollinator pledges, proclamations and
policies. Since the campaign launch, 92 percent of garden centers have seen
an increase in demand for pollinator-friendly plants and services and 86
percent are offering more pollinator-friendly plants, services, and
education. Craig Regelbrugge, senior vice president of AmericanHort,
applauds these efforts. “Leaders in horticulture have stepped up to meet
consumer demand for pollinator friendly plants and to provide the necessary
education about sustainable methods that support habitat.”



*Moving Forward*



The 2019 call to action is designed to build on the momentum of Challenge
in two ways:  1) Expanding garden habitat by asking Americans to plant at
least three different pollinator-friendly plants that bloom in three
different seasons (spring, summer and fall) to help ensure a consistent
food supply for pollinators. The MPGC map will stay open for new
registrations, and plant/garden descriptions. 2) Track the outcomes of this
movement, by encouraging everyone to participate in citizen science
projects that help pollinators at
https://www.scistarter.org/pollinatorgardens.



“The passion for pollinators is clearly evident. Let’s pass it on and
encourage the 35 million Americans who garden with flowers, to each put in
one new pollinator friendly plant per season each year. Imagine the
transformation!” says Mary Phillips, National Wildlife Federation, NPGN
coordinator.



For more information about the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge or to
learn about what can be done to reach the next million, contact Peggy Anne
Montgomery at peggyanne at gardenmediagroup.com or Anna Vecchio at
VecchioA at NWF.org.
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