The Arivaca Pollinator Pathway Project
PROJECT NEWS!
The Arivaca Pollinator Pathway Project was featured in a story on the Public News Service's environmental reporting on Earth Day 2024! Click on this link to read all about it! https://www.publicnewsservice.org/2024-04-22/endangered-species-and-wildlife/az-group-highlights-importance-of-pollinators-on-earth-day/a89937-1#
On Saturday and Sunday April 19th & 20th, Tohono O'odham artist Paul 'Nox' Pablo painted a new Nighttime Pollinators mural at the Arivaca Dancehall, featuring Yucca Moth and Mexican Long-nosed Bat pollinators, with Agave and Night-blooming Cereus. All these species migrate through the Arivaca area and the nearby Tohono O'odham Nation, and need us to conserve and protect their habitat. Thank you 'Nox' for such a beautiful and meaningful mural!
On Saturday April 20th, our 2024 Earth Day Celebration at the Arivaca Dancehall was filled with fun and educational activities for adults and families:
Plus:
10:00am - "Bats of the Desert SW" presentation inside the dancehall, by Bats Conservation International Agave Restoration Coordinator Rachel Burke;
12:00noon - "Pollinators of the Desert SW" presentation inside the dancehall, by Endangered Species Coalition Creative Engagement Director Jeanne Dodds;
1:00pm - Planting a new nighttime pollinator garden along the dancehall's back fences, with agave, yucca, and other white night-blooming plants;
2:00pm - Natural pigments workshop with Jeanne Dodds;
The Arivaca Pollinator Pathway Project is a volunteer-driven project to:
Build public gardens in the town of Arivaca that provide a linked pathway of habitat for Monarchs and other butterflies, bees, bats, and other pollinators;
Grow local knowledge and understanding about the importance of pollinators and how to provide good habitat for them, through free classes, educational signage and brochures, colorful murals, and more.
Visit our google photo album to see photos of the fabulous gardens created so far!
Why this project? Why now?
Pollinators are important residents and migrant visitors in the Arivaca area, as well as the rest of the world, and they need our help to thrive! Over the last 100 years, there has been an alarming loss of good habitat for Monarchs and other butterflies, as well as bees, bats, and other native pollinators. Monarch butterflies are now on the Endangered Species List, and there are several bat species on the Threatened List.
When we take action to preserve remaining habitat and provide additional habitat of any size, the result is an increase in the ability of these pollinators and other wildlife to thrive, even in the midst of our towns and cities. Research has also shown that habitat areas which are linked to one another, and linked to nearby natural areas, enable a much wider and more diverse set of nectar plants to attract and nurture adult butterflies, bees, bats, and hummingbirds, as well as a more diverse set of host plants for butterfly caterpillars to forage on.
The linked gardens in the Arivaca Pollinator Pathway Project, and their proximity to the adjacent Cienega natural area, are creating healthy habitat for pollinators to thrive in and around our town. We believe this project also increases the connections between Arivaca's human residents, and our ability to thrive together in this wonderful place we call home.
Learn more about this project by clicking on any of the links in the left column!