Gardening for pollinators: using ecology to guide plant selection and design

Pollinator gardening is becoming increasingly popular and can positively impact declining biodiversity. In urban areas, gardens designed for pollinators can support a surprisingly rich and abundant insect community, even in otherwise sparse landscapes. However, the habitat value of these gardens varies significantly depending on the cultivated plant community. It is often unclear which common garden plants are best suited to support wildlife. In this webinar, Dr. Erickson presents the results of a series of studies on how pollinator communities use popular nursery plants and the impact of cultivation on flower utilization by pollinators. Additionally, Dr. Erickson discusses wildlife-friendly garden design and how to make your backyard a habitat.