National Pollinator Week will be observed in June, focusing on the role of pollinators and ways communities and individuals can help protect them, according to a May 26 announcement. The theme for this year’s Pollinator Week is ‘Life on a Leaf: Celebrating Caterpillars and Host Plants,’ highlighting the importance of moths, butterflies, and their host plants in supporting ecosystems.
The article explains that more than 22 percent of native pollinators in North America are at risk of extinction due to habitat loss, non-native species, diseases, pesticides, and climate change. It emphasizes the need for public action during National Pollinator Week through community events such as plantings, garden tours, and workshops. Resources like The Caterpillar Lab offer educational programs throughout New England to help residents learn about caterpillars and how to support pollinators locally.
This year’s featured ‘Pollinator of the Year’ is the Swallowtail Butterfly. There are around thirty species found in the United States. In New Hampshire specifically, Eastern Black Swallowtail caterpillars are known for feeding on herbs like parsley while adult butterflies visit local flowers including lilacs and apple blossoms. Residents are encouraged to support various pollinators—birds, bees, butterflies, bats, beetles, moths, wasps and flies—by planting native species rich in nectar or pollen; avoiding pesticides; providing water sources; leaving bare ground or debris where appropriate; installing birdhouses or bat houses; creating mud puddles for moths; building hoverfly lagoons; using minimal outdoor lighting at night; and participating in other habitat-friendly practices.
The University of New Hampshire Extension provides additional resources on supporting pollinators through fact sheets about regional plants suitable for gardens as well as information about creating habitats for different species. The organization serves as an outreach arm partnering with county offices across the state to promote healthy communities and resilient ecosystems by offering hands-on learning opportunities involving roughly 6,000 volunteers annually across 14 programs. Its facilities include specialized centers such as a soil testing lab, according to the official website. University of New Hampshire Extension aims to enhance communities through reliable expertise and collaborative strategies while utilizing county offices along with specialized facilities like the Geospatial Technologies Training Center.
Residents interested in learning more about pollinators can access resources provided by University of New Hampshire Extension online.
