Albuquerque’s Solid Waste Department is planting flowers around the city not just for beauty purposes, but also to help grow the populations of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Beekeeper Amy Owen knows the benefits flowers provide for the bees, who in term help the human population in various ways. “We think, right away, about how they pollinate so much of our food,” Owen told KOB 4. “They say, in every three bites we eat, we can thank a bee for that pollination and their service. Also, we’re learning that bees are a good indicator of environmental health. So, if you’re in a honeybee colony, and they are not very healthy, that can be indicative of poor floral resources around.”
The city’s Solid Waste Department is planting different types of plants, per KOB 4. According to the report, crews are beginning near CNM’s campus but will continue planting flowers across the city. Some wildflower seeds are also being planted for future growth.
“We got quite a few snapdragons, whirling butterflies, vinca, some petunias,” Sterling Christopherson of the city’s solid waste department told KOB 4. “Anything good for the bees is good for us. The bees, birds, and butterflies really enjoy it.”
If planting for pollinators in a personal garden, experts advise the public to make sure to use several species of plants so that something is blooming throughout the season. Wildflowers need to be planted in the spring or late fall and should go in the ground and occupy as much space as possible.
“That’s something that beekeepers talk about,” Owen said. “We hate large spots of grass. We’re like, ‘there could be so many pollinator plants feeding the bees right there,’ because you’re watering the grass anyway, why not water really pretty plants?” Owen said.
ABQ Beeks is an organization that, according to its website, advocates for pollinators and offers networking, mentorship, education, and resources to beekeepers in the Albuquerque area.