Help pollinators by participating in community science research

The Island Now

The Town of North Hempstead is encouraging residents to participate in collecting data for the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project and the Empire State Native Pollinator Survey.

This spring, pollinators such as bees are beginning to emerge from overwintering and monarch butterflies will soon migrate to Long Island, which means that the Town will be participating in these community science research projects to help learn about these important animals, many of which are in decline.

“The Town is dedicated and committed to these community science research projects which have brought attention to pollinators both here in North Hempstead and throughout our country,” said North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth. “These creatures are so important to our daily lives, and the data on them is invaluable. We encourage you to take part in these projects that are educational and enlightening for the entire family.”

The MLMP is a collaborative effort by the Monarch Joint Venture and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum that uses volunteers from across the United States and Canada to collect long-term data on monarch distribution and abundance during the breeding season.

To volunteer for this project, you will need to choose a site, such as your backyard or a local park (with permission), that contains milkweed plants and monitor them once a week. Participants will look for monarch butterfly eggs, larvae, and pupae.

Monitoring for the project allows residents to get outside and learn about monarchs and other wildlife that inhabit our local area. The town monitors the pollinator garden at Clark Botanic Garden every week beginning in June and ending in the fall when monarchs stop laying eggs to prepare for migration to Mexico for the winter.

The ESNPS, administered by the NY Natural Heritage Program in partnership with the state Department of Environmental Conservation, aims to determine the conservation status of a variety of native insect pollinators throughout New York.

With many pollinator species in decline, this survey’s goal is to provide a more concrete picture on the status of pollinating insects.

Surveying for the project involves taking pictures of the bees, flies, moths, beetles and wasps seen pollinating flowers. This can be done in your own backyard or any location that has flowering plants. The Town participates in the project by surveying at many of its parks’ pollinator gardens.

To participate in the MLMP visit: monarchjointventure.org/mlmp. The Town is also looking for volunteers to participate in the project by monitoring milkweed in some of our parks’ pollinator gardens. Interested participants can email Sustain@northhempsteadny.gov or call 311.

To participate in the ESNPS visit: nynhp.org/projects/pollinators.

Also, for more information on attracting and helping monarchs and other pollinators in your own yard, visit: northhempsteadny.gov/sustainability.

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