Increase Pollinator-Friendly Areas (Ongoing)

Recent Project Updates

Land and Water Team March Monthly Meeting Minutes and Notes

3/7/2025

The Land and Water team met on March 7th, 2025, at 9 am on Teams this month. In this week's meeting, the team discussed prairie strips, sustainable water usage on campus, milkweed plantings for pollinators, and activities to participate in this...
Milkweed Planting Update

2/18/2025

25 lbs of common milkweed seed was dispersed by F&S Grounds along with select plug planting areas. Attached is a map where areas were either seeded or plugged and whether or not milkweed plants have been observed.

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Project Family

Responsible Stewardship of Campus Land and Water

Key Objective

4.2.2 Increase Pollinator-Friendly Areas
(iCAP 2020)

Associated Collections

Student Sustainability Committee Funded Projects

2010 iCAP Projects

Description

Pollinators are struggling to survive in the modern world due to several reasons, including the fact that their habitats are too few and far apart. The main purpose of pollinator-friendly areas is to facilitate the survival of pollinators by providing them with the homes and food that they require. Pollinator-friendly areas are locations that are bursting with a diverse collection of plants, often featuring native species. Native species are especially advantageous to plant because they are adapted to the local climate, and provide food and habitat for local insects and animals.

The University features several native planting efforts, including prairies by the Natural History building and the intersection of Florida and Orchard, and native plantings at the Arboretum and Lincoln Avenue Residences. All these projects and more are outlined under this project family.

The USDA is a great resource to learn more about why pollinators are important and how you can establish your own pollinator friendly space. The University of Illinois Extension also has resources for local pollinator pockets and species for a pollinator garden.