Want to Know More?

Pollinator Information Photo by Emmy Ulmschneider

By Emmy Ulmschneider, Master Gardener

Recently, Texas Master Naturalists counted butterflies in my yard for the North American Butterfly Association (NABA) summer butterfly count, https://naba.org/about/.  These nationwide counts have been going on for over thirty years and have contributed to our knowledge about declining butterfly populations. In the July 2011 NABA count, volunteers counted 9 species, 41 individuals in my yard.  This year they counted 6 species, 10 individuals.  I know I see far fewer butterflies in my yard than I used to.  These numbers coincide with the alarming decline we see in our bird and pollinator populations.  If we want to reverse some of these trends, we can start in our own yard. 

If you want to increase the life in your yard, where do you start and where can you find information?  There are many organizations with information to help plan and establish a backyard habitat as well as identify and learn about the inhabitants you attract.  Creating habitat can be as simple as flowerpots on a patio or balcony or as engaging as converting your entire yard.  In alphabetical order, here are six sites, to help you learn more and make a difference with your yard. 

Homegrown National Park, https://homegrownnationalpark.org/, is the inspiration of co-founder Doug Tallamy.    HNP is an individual, grassroots effort to increase biodiversity one yard at a time by planting native plants.  Their website blends plant and how-to information with Doug Tallamy’s inspiring talks.  And you can get on the Homegrown National Park map!   

National Wildlife Federation, https://www.nwf.org/, was one of the first groups to offer a backyard certification program.  In addition to how-to resources and conservation information, their Native Plant Finder, https://nativeplantfinder.nwf.org/, can help you research and purchase plants, identify butterflies, and even create a site where you can keep a list of your personal native plants and the butterflies they support.  

Native Plant Society of Texas, https://www.npsot.org/, has a mission to promote Texas native plants and they do that with classes, information, articles, and a comprehensive Native Plant Database to research the perfect native plant for your yard or link to the Invasive Plant Database.  

Pollinator Partnership, https://www.pollinator.org/, focuses on how our diverse pollinators work to sustain our food supply and landscapes.  Their learning center has resources and educational materials for all ages.  You can even go beyond and become a Certified Pollinator Steward by completing a year-long training and volunteer action. 

Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, https://www.fws.gov/refuge/valle-de-oro, the southwest’s first urban wildlife refuge, is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  The Friends of Valle de Oro have created the ABQ Backyard Refuge Program, https://friendsofvalledeoro.org/abq-backyard-refuge/, with information from beginning steps to learning more about all aspects of creating habitat.  Your yard can be a refuge for our native wildlife and humans to refuel and rest.

Xerces Society, https://www.xerces.org, has information about the small invertebrates, including pollinators, in our own backyards and across North America.  They have programs centered on pollinator conservation, a library with regional plant lists, creating habitat information, and pollinator activities for children.  You can even train to become a Xerces Ambassador and put your knowledge to work.

We can all make a difference, and it starts with small steps like checking out these sites.         

If you have questions, call the AgriLife office in Odessa at 498-4071 or in Midland at 686-4700.   Additional information, and our blog for access to past articles, is available at westtexasgardening.org.  Click on “Resources”.