Please note: This website includes an accessibility system. Press Control-F11 to adjust the website to the visually impaired who are using a screen reader; Press Control-F10 to open an accessibility menu.
  • Conservation
  • Education
  • Policy
  • Lands
  • Centers and Events
  • About Us
Search
Close this search box.

Pollinators

Protecting Pollinators: A Vital Mission for Everyone

Pollinators have evolved alongside flowering plants for millions of years, forming a symbiotic relationship essential to life on Earth. Insects, birds, and other pollinators help thousands of plant species reproduce, sustaining both people and wildlife by providing food, medicines, shelter, oxygen, and more. Without pollinators, ecosystems would collapse.

Unfortunately, pollinator populations are declining due to habitat loss, pesticide misuse, and climate change. At NH Audubon, we’re committed to protecting these essential creatures. By creating and preserving spaces where pollinators can thrive, we’re working toward a healthier, more vibrant future. Join us in taking action—learn, garden, and advocate for pollinators today!

Select any of the sections below to expand for pollinator information, links, and resources:

Why Pollinators Matter

Pollinators are key to plant reproduction, which yields the fruits, vegetables, flowers, and seeds that sustain our diets. Some pollinators are generalists, transferring pollen among many plant species, while others are specialists, relying on specific plants—and vice versa. These specialized relationships are fragile, especially in small geographic areas. That’s why native plants are crucial to New Hampshire’s ecosystems.

New Hampshire is home to over 200 species of bees, 130 species of butterflies, thousands of other pollinating insects, and the beloved ruby-throated hummingbird. By supporting native plants, we help sustain the entire food web that depends on these pollinator interactions.

How NH Audubon Is Helping

We’re working across New Hampshire to conserve pollinator-friendly habitats through:

  • Habitat Restoration: Planting native flowers at our centers, restoring meadows in our sanctuaries, and removing invasive species.
  • Education & Outreach: Providing resources to community partners, families, and schools through workshops, talks, and garden club programs.
  • Research & Monitoring: Conducting surveys on insect populations, studying pollinator behavior, and engaging community scientists through platforms like iNaturalist.
  • Policy & Advocacy: Collaborating with partners like National Wildlife Federation, NH Fish and Game, and US Fish and Wildlife to push for pollinator-safe policies at the state level.

Every effort brings us closer to a future where pollinators thrive!

What You Can Do

Gardening for Pollinators: Your Path to Making a Difference

Creating pollinator-friendly spaces is easier than you might think. Small changes can have a big impact on pollinators’ survival and ecosystem health.

  • Plant Native Plants: Native species provide the food and shelter local pollinators need. Avoid invasive plants, which can outcompete native varieties and alter soil chemistry.
  • Avoid Hybridized Species: Some hybrid plants have been bred for appearance, reducing the nectar and pollen quality. For example, some hybridized milkweed varieties lack essential compounds for monarch caterpillars.
  • Eliminate Pesticides: Reduce or eliminate pesticide use to keep pollinators safe.
  • Diverse Plantings: Include a variety of flower shapes, colors, and bloom periods to provide year-round food sources.
  • Provide Water Sources: Birdbaths and shallow trays help pollinators stay hydrated.
  • Winter Habitat: Leave seed heads and plant debris intact through winter for shelter and nourishment.
Pollinator Habitat & Learning Opportunities

Pollinator Meadow Restoration: Visit the one-acre demonstration pollinator meadow at our Concord headquarters. This site serves as a hands-on learning space for participatory scientists and conservationists.

Demonstration Gardens: Explore our pollinator gardens at McLane (Concord) and Massabesic (Auburn) centers to gain inspiration for your own backyard habitat.

Pocket Pollinator Gardens: We’re leading efforts to install pocket pollinator gardens in urban spaces throughout Manchester. Look for our logo in community green spaces!

Educational Programs, Events, & Volunteer Opportunities

Workshops & Webinars: Learn from experts about pollinators, gardening, and backyard habitat conservation. Check out our YouTube channel for free webinars; see the playlists: webinars and pollinator series.

Native Plant Sale & Craft Fair: Join us for this annual event and take home native plants and start your own pollinator garden. Visit the webpage to learn more.

Holiday Wreath Workshops: Learn to create beautiful, sustainably harvested wreaths. Attend a workshop to learn how to grow plants to create your own masterpiece. Keep an eye on the event calendar for listings in late fall.

Participatory Science & Volunteering: Help monitor pollinators through projects like the NH Butterfly Monitoring Network and the Beecology Project. Join us as a volunteer gardener or data collector. Science can be as simple as taking photos and sharing observations. Visit our volunteer page to see current opportunities.

View our full Event Calendar for upcoming workshops, webinars, and garden events throughout the state.

By making pollinators a priority in our communities, we ensure a healthier future for wildlife and people alike.

Thank you for supporting New Hampshire Audubon’s pollinator conservation efforts!

Explore this virtual tour of the McLane Center Pollinator Garden in Concord, New Hampshire. See how we include native plants to attract pollinators, where to plant them, and which species to consider adding to your gardens.

Made when the garden was in its infancy, here’s a look at the garden in full bloom in 2024:

Upcoming Pollinator Events:

Pollinator Articles:

Photos, from the top: Bumblebee on Purple Cone Flower by Diane De Luca, Monarch Butterfly on Common Milkweed by Walter Keane.