NATIVE BEE STEWARDSHIP
There are over 20,000 bee species in the world, over 4,000 in North America, over 600 native species in Washington State, and likely over 90 species in Clark County. 90% of bees are solitary and 70% of bees live in the ground. Bees need habitat, forage, and a place to nest. A good rule to follow is to plant natives and support native bees. The non-native bees will also thrive if you plant natives. Here are some great resources we've come across to help provide native bees with what they need. If you know of more, please send them to us!
NATIVE PLANTS & SEEDS-AND WHERE TO FIND THEM
Mason Bee Quick Guide
Guía rápida de administración de abejas albañiles
LOCAL PLANT LISTS
WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE - The most recent pollinator forage list available for our area (June 2024).
WATERSHEDS ALLIANCE OF SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON - Local native plant list from a great local organization. Check it out!
XERCES SOCIETY FOR INVERTEBRATE CONSERVATION - Pollinator Conservation Resources: Pacific Northwest Region - Tons of region specific stuff including regional native plant lists and habitat creation resources - so much great information!
NATIVE PLANTS FOR PACIFIC NORTHWEST GARDENS - Brochure created by Oregon Metro with good native planting information.
THE MEADOWSCAPING HANDBOOK - Created by West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District. We LOVE this publication and use it regularly. Tons of great information on creating urban meadows and meadowscaping.
NATIVE NORTHWEST PLANTS AND SEED SOURCES SOURCES
NORTHWEST MEADOWSCAPES HTTPS://NORTHWESTMEADOWSCAPES.COM
This was the first native seed source we discovered and they never disappoint. We love planting meadow spaces as they can provide much of what pollinators need with respect to habitat and forage. We also hope to have a demonstration meadow in our Bee Garden. Check out their meadow installation instructions as they are spot-on!
HERITAGE SEEDLINGS & LINERS HTTP://WWW.HERITAGESEEDLINGS.COM/NATIVE-SEED
Great local southern Willamette Valley seed supplier.
WILLAMETTE WILDINGS HTTPS://WILLAMETTEWILDLINGS-SEED.SQUARE.SITE
We don't have much expereince with these folks yet but hope to get some of their seed to plant this fall.
natures haven natives HTTPS://WWW.natureshaven.earth
Such a great website full of so much great information on many topics.
SPARROWHAWK NATIVE PLANTS HTTPS://SPARROWHAWKNATIVEPLANTS.COM
Sparrowhawk Native Plants provides eco-minded gardeners in the Portland-Vancouver Metro area with habitat-friendly and climate-resilient plants that support healthy ecosystems.
YARD/HABITAT CERTIFICATIONS
Backyard Habitat Certification Program
The Backyard Habitat Certification Program is a regional program that provides support and incentives for residents who seek to restore native habitat to their backyards. We help people create yards that are healthy for people, wildlife, and the planet.
The program is offered to private residences (under one acre), as well as to schools, community groups, public institutions, and businesses. For $35, a Habitat Technician will visit the participant’s yard to identify noxious weeds and suggest beneficial native plants and other features that will attract and support birds and other wildlife. Recommendations are tailored to each participant’s yard and interests. Participants also receive other perks such as discounted prices on native plants, coupons to local garden centers, follow-up technical assistance, and certification signs to display in their yard.
The Backyard Habitat Certification Program is a collaboration between Portland Audubon and Columbia Land Trust, with the program being facilitated in Clark County by the Watershed Alliance.
Pollinator Protection Pledge
The pollinator protection pledge is part of the Xerces Society’s Bring Back the Pollinators campaign, which is based on four simple principles: Grow pollinator-friendly flowers, provide nest sites, avoid pesticides, and spread the word.
With these core values, pollinator conservation can be adapted to any location, whether you tend an urban community garden or a suburban yard, work in a city park or on a farm.
Xerces Society Pollinator Pledge:
1. Grow a variety of bee-friendly flowers that bloom from spring through fall.
2. Protect and provide bee nests and caterpillar host plants.
3. Avoid using pesticides, especially insecticides.
4. Talk to my neighbors about the importance of pollinators and their habitat.
LOCAL INITIATIVES
CLARK PUBLIC UTILITIES - POLLINATOR PROJECT
Clark PUD has so many great initiatives and a pollinator garden at their operations center.
Check out information about our local Bee Campus at Clark College.
CLARK COLLEGE NATIVE PLANT CENTER
Lots of great information, make sure and check out their plant sale!
Tons of great information on mason bee stewardshiop including cacoon and nest management information. Orchard Mason Bees are the “perfect urban pollinator,” according to Brian L. Griffin, author of The Orchard Mason Bee:
1. They’re entirely non-aggressive. They simply will not attack, singly or en-masse.
2. You won’t even know they’re around unless you stand and watch a nesting block.
3. They’re easy to keep in your yard from year to year. All you do is provide the bee with holes in which to nest and blossoms from which to dine.
4. They’re much more efficient pollinators than the honey bee.
5. They propagate in the smallest of back yards, and they’re fun and fascinating to watch.