Pollinator Week May Be Over, But Your Mission Isn’t!

Pollinator Week may be behind us, but pollinators are still hard at work, and you can be too. From gardens and trails to fields and forests, the world around you is buzzing with life. At Willowsford Conservancy, we know that conservation starts with curiosity. Your observations can help us learn more about local pollinators and how to support them.

Why Pollinators Matter

Pollinators like bees, butterflies, moths, flies, beetles, and birds are responsible for pollinating over 85 percent of flowering plants and one in every three bites of food we eat. Without them, our landscapes would look very different, and our food systems would suffer.

Many pollinators are declining due to:

  • Habitat loss
  • Climate change
  • Pesticide use
  • Invasive species and disease

Tracking their presence and behavior helps scientists and land stewards make informed decisions about restoration and protection. That is where you come in.

Become a Citizen Scientist with iNaturalist

We encourage you to use iNaturalist, a free app that helps you identify and share observations of wild species. Every photo you upload becomes part of a global biodiversity database used by researchers and conservation professionals.

Your observations can help:

  • Monitor pollinator populations and distribution
  • Identify important habitat areas
  • Detect seasonal changes and migration patterns
  • Support local and regional conservation planning

You are not just learning, you are actively contributing to science.

How to get started:

  1. Download the iNaturalist app
  2. Create a free account
  3. Take photos of pollinators or any wild species
  4. Upload your observations and include the location
  5. Let iNaturalist help with identification

Common Pollinators in Virginia

Here are some species you are likely to see in gardens, trails, and meadows around Willowsford:

  • Eastern Bumblebee (Bombus impatiens) – Large, fuzzy, and active in many habitats
  • Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica) – Often seen near wood fences or siding
  • Blue Orchard Bee (Osmia lignaria) – Metallic blue mason bee active in spring
  • Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) – Bright orange wings and a famous migration
  • Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) – Big yellow butterfly and Virginia’s state insect
  • Hoverflies (Syrphidae family) – Bee mimics with big eyes and hovering flight
  • Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) – Fast-moving birds that feed on tubular flowers

You do not need to know their names. Just upload a photo, and iNaturalist will help guide you.

 

Support Pollinators All Summer Long

In addition to observing pollinators, you can help by creating a safe and healthy habitat right at home.

Try these pollinator-friendly practices:

  • Plant native flowers that bloom from early spring to fall
  • Avoid pesticides, especially those harmful to insects
  • Provide shallow water sources with stones for perching
  • Leave bare soil, brush, or hollow stems for nesting
  • Add bee hotels or let wild areas stay a little messy

These small steps can make a big difference.

Have Kids or Prefer a Paper-Based Activity?

If you are heading outdoors with a child or prefer a non-phone option, download our free printable Pollinator Detective Field Journal. It is designed for younger naturalists to observe, draw, and explore pollinators through a fun and hands-on format.

Print it double-sided (flip on the short edge), fold it in half, and staple it to make a mini booklet.

Download the Pollinator Detective Journal

Let’s Keep the Buzz Going

At Willowsford Conservancy, we steward over 2,000 acres of natural landscape, and we rely on your observations to help us better understand and care for this land. Every photo, every sighting, and every shared discovery helps to support real conservation action.