Inspiring citizens to initiate pollinator conservation

Pollinators are critical to American food production, but they are on the decline, in part due to urbanization. 

In a recent study, scientists introduced an online tool called the "Urban Pollinator Matrix" that empowers local citizens to increase pollinators in their backyards and local communities. The scientists developed a template model for the city of Missoula, Montana, U.S. that can be modified and applied to any city in the United States. 

The scientists demonstrate how this model works and show that individual citizens can increase pollinators by simply adding attractive native flowers to backyard borders and flowerpots. This tool illustrates how citizens can modify their local environments to benefit native pollinators and increase food production in urban gardens and nearby agricultural systems.  

To access the scientists' user-friendly application, please visit this link.