Monitoring and Research
Pollinators
Pollinators are vital for the survival of all life on land. Climate change and human activity have threatened pollinators worldwide, placing many species and global food security at risk. If we cultivate with pollinators in mind, we can create more beautiful gardens, flourishing farms, and healthier ecosystems.
At ACAP Cape Breton, we aim to support local farmers, beekeepers, gardeners, garden centres and community members so they can cultivate for conservation and protect pollinators on farms and at home.
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Pollinators come in many shapes and sizes. From bees and butterflies to bats and birds, pollinator diversity reflects that of the plants they pollinate. Even wasps and flies play a critical role in pollinating wildflowers and crops.
If you're interested in learning about pollinators such as bumble bees, you can explore Bumble Bees of Unama'ki: A Guide to Becoming a Buzzing Naturalist or the Xerces Pocket Guide to Identifying the Yellow-banded bumble bee.
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Honey bees are widely thought to be one of the most valuable pollinators, and they are often brought onto farms for their economic value and pollinator prowess. But what would you think if we told you that honey bees aren’t the “queen bee” you thought they were?
Naturally, when people think about protecting pollinators, they often think of saving honey bees. In reality, they are not the bees that need saving. Honey bees are not native to North America and are not at risk of extinction. In fact, most honey bees in Canada are used as managed livestock, like cows or chickens, and are safeguarded by farmers and beekeepers. Although honey bees pollinate crops, their main focus is producing that sweet, sweet honey. So, who reigns as “queen bee” when it comes to pollination? Wild native bees of course!
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Wild native bees are much more efficient and resilient pollinators capable of pollinating diverse native plants and crops for extended periods. There are many different species of wild bees, which makes them capable of pollinating a wide variety of plants throughout the seasons. Wild native bee conservation means protecting bee species that play an invaluable role in pollinating crops and native plants, which supports agriculture and conservation simultaneously.
Bumble bees (Genus Bombus) are large, round, and fuzzy bees. There are over 12 different species of bumble bees in Cape Breton, including the yellow-banded bumble bee (Bombus terricola), a species at risk (pictured).
Monarchs (Danaus plexippus) can be found throughout Cape Breton during the summer. Adult monarchs are easily identified by their bright orange colouring with black and white polka dot border around their wings.
How can you help pollinators?
Helping pollinators is in everyone's best interest, and we are thrilled that you're considering making your yard, farm, garden, or garden centre more pollinator-friendly. Making these changes may seem daunting; however, you can take your time implementing these suggestions, choosing one or two new things to incorporate into your repertoire every year. Any modifications you make to the way you farm or garden are valuable, and the pollinators will thank you for it by continuing to support the land with increased capacity and vitality.
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Learn more about native pollinators
Learning about pollinators makes us better equipped to help them. You can start with resources such as Bumble Bees of Unama'ki: A Guide to Becoming a Buzzing Naturalist and the Xerces Pocket Guide to Identifying the Yellow-banded bumble bee.
Leave nature ‘bee’!
The best thing you can do for pollinators is to leave nature be. Where possible, create natural oases in your yard, farm, or shared community space that you leave undisturbed. Creating these wild pockets would involve not mowing, tilling, or raking leaves and letting native plants grow wild. Essentially, this means no extra maintenance or work! The more natural space you can leave, the better.
Participate in pollinator citizen science activities
ACAP Cape Breton is currently monitoring bumble bees and monarchs (eggs, larvae, chrysalises, and butterflies) in Unama’ki. If you spot one of these pollinators, we’d love to see a photo of them! You can upload any observations to iNaturalist, or send it into info@acapcb.ns.ca
Buy local, wild pollinator friendly honey
If you cannot resist adding honey to your tea or toast, consider purchasing your honey from small-scale local beekeepers trying to produce honey with other pollinators in mind.
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Advocate for native pollinators, including wild native bees.
When most people hear "save the bees," they think about honey bees. Beekeepers have the perfect platform to talk about wild native bees, and they can help direct the conversation toward native pollinators and why they're so important. As a beekeeper, advocating for native bees means supporting the no-mow movement, rewilding efforts, reducing pesticide use, and promoting wildflower biodiversity. In doing all these things, honey bees will benefit simultaneously, producing more rich, nutritious, and flavourful honey.
Ensure your honey bees have access to a wide variety of flowering plants throughout the season
Having diverse, unmowed wildflower meadows will result in rich and unique honey flavours and attract and support native pollinators, including wild native bees. This will create a healthier ecosystem for you, your honey bees, and wild bees!
Regularly check your colonies for pests and diseases
Being a responsible beekeeper is one of the best things you can do to help wild native bees. By checking your colonies regularly for pests and diseases, you can prevent sickness from spreading to wild native bees, some of whom are already at risk, threatened, or endangered.
Plant pollinator hedgerows
Pollinator hedgerows can be an excellent way to provide food and habitat for honey bees and wild native bees throughout the seasons. By planting pollinator hedgerows filled with native species in between fields, we can create pollinator corridors, making it easier for pollinators to move from one field to another while still having access to food and shelter amidst the hedgerows.
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Farm with native bees and other pollinators in mind
Farming for pollinators is the best way to ensure your farm is healthier and more productive. Whether you’re planning your season so that you have different crops blooming throughout the year, planting cover crops in orchards, or establishing hedgerows and pollinator pathways between fields, ensuring your farm is never a desert or undesirable place for pollinators will make for healthy bees and hearty harvests.
Reevaluate pesticide use
Science has shown that pesticide use can negatively affect pollinator health and resiliency. By reevaluating the types of pesticides you use and how often you use them, you’re safeguarding bees and other insects that play a vital role in pollinating and protecting crops naturally from undesirable insects.
Time fertilizer and necessary pesticide usage just right
Timing your fertilizer and necessary pesticide usage just right is a great way you can protect pollinators. Avoid spraying crops while they are in bloom or while bees are working (typically between sunrise and sunset).
Consider native bees for pollination
Although having honey bees on your farm may seem like you’re growing two plants with one seed (pollination and harvesting honey), having honey bees on your farm puts native bees at risk. Additionally, native bees are much better pollinators than honey bees. If you farm with native pollinators in mind, they'll pollinate your crops for free, no maintenance required.
If you would still like to have honey bees on your farm, check out our recommendations for beekeepers to see how you can harvest honey without harming wild native pollinators.
Reconsider purchasing bumble bees for pollination
Although you can buy bumble bees to help support pollination on your farm, it is always best to work alongside native bees. Granted, many of these purchased bees are native species; however, they can bring with them diseases that can spread to native bees, decimating local populations.
Plan your planting so that you have plants blooming at different times of the year, especially in early spring and late fall.
Just like us, pollinators need food to survive. For bees and many other pollinators, food comes from pollen and nectar resources, or in other words, flowers! By having different crops that bloom throughout the seasons, buffered by regularly blooming pollinator pathways, we can ensure pollinators always have food available. Consistency of food availability for pollinators is vital if you want to establish a long-term relationship with native pollinators. Suppose you plant the same crop in the same area year after year. In that case, you may start seeing specialized native bees on your farm who can pollinate your crops even more effectively!
Plant pollinator hedgerows
Pollinator hedgerows can be an excellent way to provide food and habitat for pollinators throughout the seasons. By planting pollinator hedgerows filled with native species in between fields, we can create pollinator corridors, making it easier for pollinators to move from one field to another while still having access to food and shelter amidst the hedgerows.
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Plant native species
The more native plant species you have in your garden, the more you’ll be visited by diverse species of pollinators. Perhaps more importantly, make sure you’re not planting any invasive species in your garden. You can learn more about invasive and native plant species in this Grow Me Instead Guide.
Plan your planting so that you have plants blooming at different times of the year, especially in early spring and late fall.
Just like us, pollinators need food to survive. For bees and many other pollinators, food comes from pollen and nectar resources, or in other words, flowers! By having different flowers and crops that bloom throughout the seasons, buffered by regularly blooming pollinator pathways, we can ensure pollinators always have food available. Consistency of food availability is vital if you want to establish a long-term relationship with native pollinators. Suppose you plant the same crop in the same area year after year. In that case, you may start seeing specialized native bees on your farm who can pollinate your garden even more effectively!
Plant pollinator hedgerows
Pollinator hedgerows can be an excellent way to provide food and habitat for pollinators throughout the seasons. By planting pollinator hedgerows filled with native species in and around a garden, we can create pollinator corridors, making it easier for pollinators to move from one place to the next while still having access to food and shelter amidst the hedgerows.
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Research native and invasive plants in your area
Learning about native and invasive plants in your area is a great way to familiarize yourself with plants beneficial for pollinators and plants that can harm gardens and spread beyond.
Source local native species for your inventory
Having native plant species available for sale will help gardeners create habitats and provide food for pollinators in their gardens. There are many beautiful native trees, flowers, and shrubs that would make excellent additions to gardens. To learn more about some of the native species you can add to your inventory, check out the Nova Scotia Invasive Species Council’s Grow Me Instead Guide.
Remove invasive plants from your inventory
Once established, it is very easy for invasive plants to choke out native plants, in the garden and beyond. To learn more about some local invasive species and their native alternatives, check out the Nova Scotia Invasive Species Council’s Grow Me Instead Guide.