I know insects might not top everyone's list of favorite creatures, but I seem to have captured some hearts. I'm the American Bumblebee (Bombus pensylvanicus, to my friends), one of North America's most beloved and iconic pollinators. People tend to like me - maybe not as much as they love Monarch Butterflies, but I'm close. Sadly, our relationship has hit a rough patch. Last January, I joined the Monarch on Ontario’s Species at Risk list. Across the province, my numbers are dropping fast.
The culprits? Habitat loss and pesticide use. When you spray your gardens and farms, all insects are affected. I thrive in meadows, fields, and prairies - habitats that are disappearing due to relentless development and loss of native species that I need. The rise of subdivisions and sprawling houses means fewer wildflowers for me to feed on.
Thankfully, I have some great human allies. The Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust is restoring two nature reserves in Northumberland County, bringing back a precious oak-pine ecosystem that I love. They're planting wildflowers - my personal favorites like Butterfly Milkweed, Brown-eyed Susan, and Big Bluestem grass (you should try these in your garden!). By supporting native species, they're helping me and many other species at risk, including the Monarch Butterfly, Eastern Hog-nosed Snake, Kirtland’s Warbler, and Short-eared Owl. To learn more about this amazing restoration work, check out this short video.This holiday season, consider giving a gift that will help protect me and other endangered species for generations to come. There’s no better present than restoring lost habitats, filled with beautiful wildflowers (I might be biased, since I feed on their pollen and nectar). And don’t worry - I’ll make sure there’s plenty of milkweed for the Monarchs.
As the holiday season arrives, I'll be hibernating in a cozy pile of grass, dreaming of warmer days filled with blossoms.
Sincerely,
The American Bumblebee
(Bombus pensylvanicus)
Please consider a holiday gift or monthly gift to help support species like the American Bumblebee.
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For information on leaving a legacy by including the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust in your will, please contact Susan Walmer at swalmer@oakridgesmoraine.org or (905) 939-3333.
To learn more about the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust, please visit our website at www.oakridgesmoraine.org.
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