Valerie Just
Jul 20, 2017
Resource: Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
The Million Pollinator Garden Challenge (MPGC) is a nationwide call to action to preserve and create gardens and landscapes that help revive the health of bees, butterflies, birds, bats and other pollinators across America. We will move millions of individuals, kids and families outdoors and make a connection between pollinators and the healthy food people eat.
Register your garden through the Pollinator Partnership and be added to the map in support of the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the National Pollinator Garden Network?
The National Pollinator Garden Network is a collaboration of stakeholders from the garden, pollinator and conservation communities working together to support the health of pollinating animals.
What is the goal of the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge?
The Million Pollinator Garden Challenge is an initiative of the NPGN that invites participation from organizations and individuals both inside and outside the NPGN. The objective is to increase nectar and pollen providing landscapes of every size in order to address one of the significant threats to pollinator health – the dearth and degradation of forage for pollinators. The goal is to promote and count 1 million such forage locations across the United States.
How long will the challenge run?
The Million Pollinator Garden Challenge will run for at least two years, and the support of the National Pollinator Garden Network will continue through the conclusion of the Challenge encompassing other initiatives that will be determined by the collective body and by circumstances for pollinators.
How is the number of gardens measured?
The gardens will be registered on the SHARE website where visitors will be able to visually track the progress of the campaign. Registrants can upload photos and videos of their sites, and the map can be sorted by garden type. In addition, a metric to assess pollinator garden actions across multiple organizations will be in effect as the campaign progresses.
Are there criteria to qualify as a garden on the SHARE map?
The one criterion common to all gardens on the map is that the plants used in the garden (no matter what the size) provide nectar and pollen sources. We encourage gardens to also provide a water source, be planted in sunny areas with wind breaks, create large “pollinator targets” of native or non-invasive plants, establish continuous bloom throughout the growing season, and eliminate or minimize the impact of pesticides.
Can anyone be a part of the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge?
Yes! Anyone who is interested in providing healthy pollinator habitat can do so. Plant and share your garden with others using #pollination.
How can I teach others about pollinators?
The NPGN has complied a list of resources that you can use to teach others about the importance of pollinators and about ongoing programs designed to help struggling pollinator populations.
What is the status of the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge in light of the federal administration change?
Pollinators and monarchs are still in decline and need our help, the National Pollinator Garden Network has always been a non-partisan voluntary coalition and the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge will continue with the inclusive engagement from all Americans. It has never been an initiative of any federal administration. The NPGN came together as a public/private response to engage citizens to plant pollinator friendly habitat gardens at a time when the previous administration provided high profile on the pollinator crisis. The NPGN was grateful for the visibility former First Lady Michelle Obama provided in 2015 and applauded the federal action to address the issue and increase pollinator habitat. NPGN is hopeful pollinator friendly efforts will continue through subsequent administrations.