Governor Ricketts Proclaims June 19-25 Nebraska Pollinator Week

June 8, 2017 Leave a comment


Gov. Pete Ricketts has proclaimed that June 19-25 is Nebraska Pollinator Week. This special designation reminds Nebraskans of the importance of pollination to ecosystems, businesses, and people’s lives, while acknowledging the creatures that pollinate.

In Nebraska, pollination from the animal kingdom can be credited to species of hummingbirds, butterflies, moths, bees, beetles and flies.

Lt. Gov. Mike Foley presented the signed proclamation to Nebraska Game and Parks Commission biologist Melissa Panella on June 7 in a ceremony at the Nebraska Capitol.

“Pollination is critical to our way of life,” Panella said. “Globally, about 1,000 different kinds of plants that humans use for items such as food, spices, medicines and fabrics are pollinated by animals. We can thank pollinators for approximately a third of every bite of food we take because of their role in enabling fertilization of fruits and vegetables. Pollinators also contribute around $20 billion worth of products to the U.S. economy annually. ”

In Nebraska, at least 18 insect pollinator species are identified as at-risk, including the iconic monarch butterfly. Learn more about these species and what you can do to help at outdoornebraska.gov/monarch.

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Nebraska Game and Parks Seeks Help in Tracking Monarch Habitat

September 20, 2016 Leave a comment


The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission needs the public’s help in documenting new and existing habitat for monarch butterflies.

The public is encouraged to enter plantings of milkweed into the Monarch Tracker, which is available on the Game and Parks website. Doing so will help Game and Parks identify areas where milkweed and other pollinator-friendly flora can be planted, restored or enhanced in the next several years.

Monarch populations are in serious decline, mostly because of loss of milkweed and habitat. The monarch’s caterpillar stage feeds only on milkweed plants, while as adults they feed on many flowering plants.

“Current research suggests that in order to prevent further declines of the monarch, more than a billion milkweed plants and millions of acres containing diverse pollinator-friendly plants must be added to the landscape across the Midwest,” said Kristal Stoner, Game and Parks’ wildlife diversity program manager.

The public is urged to consider planting areas of pasture, farm or backyard where milkweed and other flowers can thrive for monarchs and other pollinators. Anyone who has recently created pollinator-friendly habitat can enter the information into the Milkweed Tracker.

To learn more about the Milkweed Tracker, to enter planted habitat, or to find information on what to plant, visit: OutdoorNebraska.gov/MilkweedTracker.

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