Native pollinators play a vital role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem and food system. Attendees will gain an understanding of the intricate biodiversity of native pollinators, which have co-evolved with native plants. This webinar will discuss the steps of installing pollinator meadows, composed of herbaceous perennial flowering plants and native grasses. This diverse habitat not only supports pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and beetles, but also other wildlife, such as birds!  Pollinators significantly contribute to feeding birds in two main ways: First, through the act of pollinating flowers, seeds are formed and are eaten by birds. Second, the pollinators themselves can be a protein source for birds! About 9 in 10 bird species eat insects at some point in their life. So, whether it be through the conservation lens of birds, pollinators, or both – join us to learn about how native perennial meadows can contribute to wildlife diversity and abundance in your community.

Register for this free webinar through Zoom.

This webinar is part of the year-long Exploring Connections to and Stewardship of the Natural World talks. This series is supported by a grant through the NH Humanities Council and aims to provide a public and personal space for the examination of environmental ethics, fostering a deeper understanding of, appreciation for, and care of, our natural world. Programs are free to the public, and streamed via Zoom, YouTube, and Facebook Live.

For more information and to see the entire slate of talks, visit our series webpage.

Speaker Bio:

Alina Harris works in collaboration with the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and with the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Cooperative Extension. She is a liaison between growers/landowners and these organizations by providing technical assistance in Integrated Pest and Pollinator Management (IPPM). Alina is a NH native with a Bachelor’s in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Production Systems (Diversified Farm Management) and a Master’s in Agricultural Sciences (Insectary plants that promote biological control of insects) from UNH. She brings over a decade of agricultural experience, including co-managing a diversified farm in NH, teaching as a Farm Coach, and serving as the Sustainable Agriculture Specialist at the University of Hawaii.