What’s the Buzz? Celebrating Pollinators This June

June 5, 2018, Department, by National Recreation and Park Association

2018 June NRPA Update Parks for Pollinators 410

As flowers continue to bloom this month, we see more of our favorite bees and butterflies visiting pollinator-friendly plants and habitats. To celebrate our favorite buzz-worthy friends, as well as to promote the important work that parks and recreation plays in protecting these vital species, NRPA is partnering with The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation on the #Parks4Pollinators Photo Contest.

Launching on June 4, the #Parks4Pollinators Photo Contest encourages everyone to post a pollinator photo on social media, using the hashtag #Parks4Polllinators. Each Friday, NRPA will choose the best photo and award a Miracle-Gro Nature’s Care prize pack that includes Nature’s Care products, garden gloves and a garden trowel (prize valued at approximately $100). Photos can be submitted each week of the contest — that means there are four chances to win. Examples of pollinators include species of ants, bats, bees, beetles, birds, butterflies, flies, moths, wasps, as well as other unusual animals.

In addition, June kicks off NRPA’s partnership with The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation to provide funding to five park and recreation agencies. The funding will allow on-the-ground survey research that will aid in understanding the public’s perception of the pollinator crisis. Five park and recreation agencies have been selected to help conduct the research and include:

  • Chicago Park District, Chicago, Illinois
  • Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Houston, Texas
  • Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department, Miami, Florida
  • City of Providence, Department of Public Parks, Providence, Rhode Island
  • Seattle Parks and Recreation, Seattle, Washington

NRPA will be sharing results from this research in the coming months.

In a recent poll, conducted by NRPA, nearly all Americans agree that promoting pollinator health should be a conservation priority across the United States. We know that the fruits, vegetables and many nuts we eat, and the flowering plants we see are the result of pollination. Pollinators play a key role in agriculture, estimated to be a $577 billion industry that employs millions of people worldwide. Promoting pollinator health is an important step to take to protect against the decline and death of pollinators, such as honey bees and other insects, and increasing their habitat.

NRPA is partnering with The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation because of their combined mission to protect pollinators for the well-being of our health, food supply, natural environment and economy. NRPA and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation recognize that parks play a key role in protecting and preserving pollinators and their habitats.

Stay tuned to NRPA’s social accounts this month to celebrate all things pollinators — especially during Pollinator Week, June 18–24.