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HOW YOU CAN HELP POLLINATORS

Learn about how you can make an impact for our native pollinators and ecosystems. There are many ways to help, especially by adding native plants, but you can also certify your garden or contribute to community science (also known as citizen science) research efforts. We highlight some of these opportunities below.

Help the Field Museum Team

Urban Bumble Bee Project

This project asks you to upload photos of bees on flowers to help us learn more about what flowers bumble bees pollinate.

Monarch Community Science Project

Thousands of Chicagoland residents helped answer the question, “what are the characteristics of a successful urban monarch garden?”

Unfolding of Microplant Mysteries


What secrets lie within microplants? Researchers at the Field Museum are attempting to classify a hyper-diverse group of plants.

Take the Illinois Monarch Pledge


Pledges help estimate progress toward the goals set forth in the Illinois Monarch Action Plan. 

Other Community Science Opportunities & More

MLMP


Collect data on monarchs and milkweed habitat.

Beespotter


Submit pictures of bumble bees in Illinois and Indiana.

iNaturalist


Submit pictures of any plant or animal to learn what they are.

Plants of Concern


Become a rare plant monitor.

Zooniverse


Contribute to research on your own computer at your own convenience.

Monarch Watch Tagging Program


Each year volunteers across North America tag monarchs.

Project Wingspan


Become a trained seed collector and join a local team that is making a difference.

Certify Your Garden

Conservation@Home


Register your Cook County home, school, work or community garden.

We Grow Indiana Natives

 

Certify your garden with the Indiana Native Plant Society.

Register in SE Wisconsin


 Find out where to register in southeast Wisconsin.


Homegrown National Park


Outside of Cook County? You can register your garden and habitat here. 

Monarch Waystation Program

 

Register your garden here to show support for monarchs.

National Wildlife Federation's Wildlife Habitat

 

Outside of Cook County? You can register your habitat here. 

Why Pollinators & People Matter

MORE WAYS TO HELP: