Supporting Pollinators in Boulder
Did you know?
Colorado is home to around 1,000 species of native bees, and more than half of these (around 550) are found in Boulder County! But bees aren’t the only pollinators that call Boulder home. Butterflies, moths, beetles, wasps, and flies are just as important, and are often overlooked!
Artwork by Faith Williams Dyrsten for People & Pollinators Action Network.
The top three things you can do to support pollinators are:
Provide undisturbed areas for nesting, including leaf litter, flower stems, tree stumps, bare soil, and more.
Avoid pesticides.
Want to learn more?
Take a look at these resources and the list of our community partners who can help you support pollinators in Boulder!
Resources for Supporting Pollinators
-
2024 Colorado Native Pollinating Insects Health Study
The study outlines how Colorado is home to a rich community of native insects whose pollinating services are at the heart of healthy environments and economies, but concludes that overall, the status of Colorado’s native pollinating insects is tenuous, with the primary drivers of decline being habitat loss, inadequate land-management practices, pesticides, competition from non-native species, and climate change, among others.
-
Pollinator Conservation Resources
Xerces Society has gathered this region-specific collection of publications, native plant and seed suppliers, and other resources to aid in planning, establishing, restoring, and maintaining pollinator habitat—as well as materials to help you learn about the species of invertebrates and native plants you might encounter.
-
Habitat Assessment Guide for Pollinators
This tool from Xerces Society will help you evaluate pollinator habitat in yards, gardens, and parks, and identify areas for improvement.
-
Nesting and Overwintering Habitat for Beneficial Insects
This guide by Xerces Society will help you learn how to provide important nesting habitat for pollinators and other beneficial insects.
-
Field Guide: Pollinators of the American West
Published in 2024, this field guide includes easy-to-use photographic reference to over 250 species of invertebrate pollinators in the American West!
Check Out These Community Partners
Environment for the Americas connects people to birds and nature and inspires the next generation of conservationists.
Wild Ones Front Range hopes to support everyone who wants to add more native plants to their part of the Front Range, from a handful to a yard full. They have an extensive library of native seeds and often host plant/seed exchanges and workshops.
MASA Seed Foundation focuses directly on growing and adapting Farm and Garden Seeds for local and national distribution. Their Mission/vision entails securing a Front Range Seed Bank of tried and true, rigorously selected heirloom and traditional food plant varieties that are adaptable to climate shifts and front range soils.
Jack’s Solar Garden hopes to inspire the community to support local farmers as they embark on creative paths to better our community with locally produced foods and solar power.
Suelo Bueno is a consulting group who broadly focuses on the rebuilding of urban and suburban ecosystems through planting native plant species (including grasses, flowering plants, shrubs, and trees), building optimal soil health, and environmentally attuned use of water.
Earth Love Gardens was founded upon a vision of a world living in community and authentic connection with each other through connecting with the Earth. Their services services include building and installing raised garden beds and hoop houses, pollinator gardens, and other beautiful and functional landscape designs.
The Boulder County Audubon Society is a voice for birds and wildlife conservation through habitat protection, advocacy, and nature education.
Butterfly Pavilion is a non-profit invertebrate zoo and a leader in invertebrate knowledge, inspiration and connection. Whether it is providing unique, hands-on learning experiences in our exhibits and educational programs, conducting new research that sets the standard for zoos across the country or building innovative solutions for species and habitat conservation in countries around the world, Butterfly Pavilion is leading the way in ensuring invertebrates are protected for the future.
Resource Central is an award-winning non-profit dedicated to helping people save water, conserve energy, and reduce waste. Their “Garden in a Box” program and lawn removal services are transforming yards in the Boulder area.
Harlequin’s Gardens is a small family business owned by Mikl Brawner and Eve Reshetnik Brawner that specializes in Colorado-adapted plants: hardy own-root roses, xeriscape plants, natives, perennials, shrubs, herbs, rock garden plants, fruit and trees.