Pollinators

Since 2016, Tiny has established eight pollinator meadows and gardens in public parks. These naturalized areas not only support bees and butterflies but also:

• Reduce stormwater runoff
• Improve soil structure
• Lower urban heat through shade and plant transpiration
• Provide natural corridors that connect habitats

These efforts contribute to biodiversity, water retention, and climate resilience across our region.

Public engagement is at the heart of Tiny’s pollinator strategy. Through volunteer events, educational signage, and seasonal workshops, we empower residents to:

• Plant native, pollinator-friendly gardens
• Avoid pesticides and invasive species
• Contribute to community science and environmental monitoring

Members of the community are invited to help expand and maintain pollinator habitats in Tiny. Opportunities include:

• Volunteer Events: Participate in planting days, seasonal maintenance, and restoration efforts.
• Home Gardening: Incorporate native pollinator-friendly plants into private gardens and landscapes.
• Site Suggestions: Recommend new public spaces that may benefit from pollinator-focused planting.

Whether you’re looking to volunteer, suggest a new location, or simply enjoy a walk through a local meadow, there are many ways to participate:

• View Pollinator Garden Map 
• Submit a Volunteer Application

Together, we are cultivating a more sustainable, resilient, and biodiverse Tiny—one garden at a time.

1. Habitat Loss and Fragmentation
Urban expansion and agriculture reduce meadows, hedgerows, and woodlands—critical pollinator habitats. This decreases native plant diversity and abundance, impacting nectar, pollen, and nesting sites. Specialist species decline, while generalists dominate, changing ecosystems.

2. Pesticides and Chemical Exposure
Synthetic insecticides, especially neonicotinoids, accumulate in nectar and pollen, disrupting bees’ memory, navigation, and foraging—even at low levels. Wild pollinators are especially vulnerable, as pesticide testing often overlooks non-honeybee species.

3. Invasive Species
Non-native plants and animals can outcompete native species, disrupting local pollinator networks. Some invasives attract pollinators away from native plants. Introduced pollinators and agricultural imports can spread pests and diseases to native species.

4. Disease and Parasites
Viruses, fungi, and mites (e.g., Varroa destructor) threaten both managed and wild pollinators. Pathogen spread is accelerated by global trade and the movement of bees, leading to colony collapse and reduced pollination services.

5. Air Pollution
Pollutants like ozone and nitrogen oxides disrupt chemical signals that guide pollinators to flowers, reducing foraging efficiency and disrupting plant-pollinator interactions.

6. Climate Change
Shifting temperatures and weather patterns create mismatches between flowering times and pollinator activity. This reduces food availability and can weaken colonies, compounding habitat loss and disease impacts.

7. Nutritional Stress
Pollinators rely on diverse floral resources. Monocultures and urban development limit this, causing malnutrition and reduced immunity. For social bees, this can reduce reproduction and increase mortality.

Choose a diverse mix of native plants that bloom from spring to fall, providing a continuous food source for pollinators. Native species are adapted to our local soils, climate, and wildlife, making them more resilient and supportive of local biodiversity.

Pollinators need more than flowers—they need places to nest and lay eggs. You can help by:

• Leaving bare patches of soil or mulch-free areas for ground-nesting bees.
• Incorporating hollow stems, brush piles, or bee houses for solitary bees and other beneficial insects.
• Avoiding excessive mowing—allow some areas to grow wild and provide habitat diversity.

Many pesticides—including insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides—can harm pollinators even at low doses. Whenever possible:

• Use natural pest control methods such as hand removal, companion planting, or introducing natural predators.
• Maintain healthy soil through composting and proper plant selection, reducing the need for chemicals.
• If chemical use is unavoidable, apply them in the early morning or evening when pollinators are less active, and follow manufacturer guidelines carefully.

Pollinators, like all creatures, need water to survive. Place a shallow dish filled with clean water and pebbles in your garden to create a safe watering spot. Refresh the water regularly to prevent stagnation.

Invasive plants can outcompete native species and disrupt pollinator networks. Learn to recognize invasive plants in your yard and local areas. Replace them with native plants to help protect pollinator habitats and biodiversity.

Learn More About Invasive Species

Native plants are the cornerstone of healthy pollinator populations. Unlike exotic or ornamental species, native plants have co-evolved with local pollinators, creating essential relationships that sustain biodiversity. These plants provide the nectar, pollen, and habitat pollinators need throughout their life cycles.

• Support local biodiversity: Native plants offer food and shelter for a wide range of pollinators and other wildlife, including specialist pollinators that rely exclusively on certain plants.
• Conserve water: Adapted to local conditions, native plants require less water and maintenance than non-native species.
• Improve soil health: Deep root systems help prevent erosion, filter pollutants, and increase soil resilience.
• Reduce chemical dependence: Native plants thrive without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, protecting our waterways and ecosystems.

Not all flowers are equal in the eyes of pollinators. Cultivars—varieties bred for traits like double petals or bright colors—often produce less nectar and pollen, making them less useful to pollinators. Whenever possible, choose straight-species native plants rather than hybrids to ensure the best support for local pollinator populations.

Planting for Pollinators

Supporting pollinators at home is easier than you might think:

• Plant a variety: Choose native species that bloom from spring to fall to provide a continuous food source.
• Host plants: Include plants that support caterpillars and other pollinator life stages.
• Avoid double blooms: These often lack nectar and pollen, leaving pollinators without critical resources.

By planting native plants, you’re not just creating a beautiful landscape—you’re helping Tiny’s pollinators survive and thrive. Together, we can build a more resilient and biodiverse community, one garden at a time.