The Alachua County Environmental Protection Department is asking residents to document unique plants around their homes and gardens that assist pollinators by using the iNaturalist app.
Several hundred species of bees and butterflies call Florida home, and these insects pollinate flowers and food crops while adding beauty to the landscape. The biodiversity, or variety, of plants allows butterflies and bees to thrive.
To participate:
- Download the iNaturalist app and create an account.
- Join the project “Weeds Feed Bees, Alachua County!”
- Go outside and take a good look at your yard. See anything that looks like a “weed”? Take a picture and upload it to iNaturalist.
- Learn about the plants in your yard. Repeat with as many “weeds” as possible.
“Even in neighborhoods with HOAs (homeowner associations), yards can be an oasis for pollinators and the plants that sustain them. In fact, many plants we think of as weeds are actually native wildflowers,” said Alachua County Environmental Protection Department Environmental Specialist Jacqueline Buenrostro in a press release. “By allowing weeds in your yard, you’re supporting birds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Plus, these native plants look great without extra water or fertilizer, helping residents keep their curb appeal while saving time and money on their landscaping.”
Click here to learn more about protecting water resources in your yard.