Conservation is defined as a careful preservation and protection of something.

The decline in pollinators is due to human activity.

The leading issues to pollinator loss are:

• • Pesticide use

  • Diseases

  • Habitat loss

  • Lack of nesting sites and/or egg laying opportunities

Introducing native wildflowers to areas near agricultural land increases:

• • The presence of pollinators

  • The productivity in honey production

  • Crop yield due to better pollination results

Pollinators are becoming more dependent on humans to create habitats for them.

How does our project aid in Pollinator Conservation?

The components of a Pollinator Habitat include:

• • Nectar producing flowers

  • shelter/shelter providing plants for pollinators

  • NO pesticide use

  • Groups of similar flowers

Each component of the pollinator habitat directly aids in the conservation of pollinators, by creating a habitat to combat habitat loss, and more.

The stability of Ecosystems are dependent on pollinator diversity.

Pollinators take care of 90% of the worlds flowering plants.

Some plants are completely dependent on animal pollination.

Diversity is the key to survival.

• The same thing cannot kill everything, if there is one thing different

Pollinator diversity depends on the diversity of plants.

• Increasing diversity of plants, increases the diversity of pollinators

• Pollination productivity was most abundant when surrounded by diverse plants with different blooming seasons

How does our project aid in Pollinator Diversity?

We want to create 3 different habitats, that are designed to attract 3 different pollinators.

• • Habitat 1: Butterflies

  • Habitat 2: Bees

  • Habitat 3: Hummingbirds

Within these 3 different habitats, we will start with 3 different plants, that is a total of 9 different plants. Some of the plants are even attractive to the other pollinators as well.

There are also a lot of different species native to Michigan, that we hope to attract.

• • 450 species of bees

  • 52 species of butterflies

  • 7 species of hummingbirds

Our habitat is designed to increase pollinator diversity.

Habitat 1~Butterflies

• • Total Area: 795.70 ft sq.

  • Plants: Purple Poppy Mallow, Black Eyed Susan, Butterfly Milkweed

  • Other: QR code posted on existing lamp post

Habitat 2~ Bees

• • Total Area: 527.35 ft sq.

  • Plants: Alliums, Lavender, Anise Hyssop

  • Other: include at least 2 bee baths, a QR code posted on the existing lamp post

Habitat 3~ Hummingbirds

• • Total Area: 848.51 ft sq.

  • Plants: The tree that is already planted there can stay (provides a nesting location for hummingbirds), Chilean Glory Flower, Delphinium, Foxglove

  • Other: Include at least 2 bird baths, a QR code on existing lamp post, possible need for a trellis of some kind for the chilean glory flower

• In between the Mary Idema Pew Library and the Kirkhof Bus Stop

• There are already sidewalks zig zagging through the potential habitats, this will allow for a better interaction between the students and the habitats.

• There is already heavy foot traffic in this area, from the bus stop, Kirkhof, and the library. This means more students will be exposed to the possible educational opportunity.

• Close proximity to the library can mean creating an educational display inside the library to draw more students to the pollinator habitat.

• Library display

• Easy to scan QR codes in each habitat, so students can use their phones and learn more about the habitat.

• Educational opportunities in terms of learning about the different species of pollinators and different species of plants all native to our very own Michigan.

• We could also include a "how to create your own pollinator habitat/garden."

• Replaces the boring green lawns with a rainbow paradise for pollinators.

• Can become a place for students to visit, where they can be surrounded by beautiful flowers and unique animals.

• The heavy foot traffic allows for more opportunities to inspire curiosity and excitement to learn about pollinators.

• There are already some campuses around the world that have implemented projects like this. They are called Bee Campuses and Grand Valley could become one as well, especially since they already do a lot in terms of sustainability.