For life to exist, there are a few necessities. It’s common knowledge that one of these is a wealth of plant life.
While soil, water, and sun are generally considered the most important components for sustaining plants, reproduction is also an essential piece that ensures their longevity.
This is where pollinators and the gardens that host them step in. They both allow life to continue as it is.
While the topic is always important, it’s as timely as ever. New research has found that one-fifth of the pollinators in North America are at risk of extinction.
The findings are significant. They have the potential to impact the livelihood of plants, animals, and humans alike.
What is a pollinator, exactly?
As with any cultivated area, at first glance, the value of a pollinator garden lies in being afforded pleasant views and aromas. Its role beyond that, however, is much more significant.
It begins with plants in general.
“They’re super critical to the survival of so many species,” says Paul Goossen, who designed a pollinator garden with the team at Discovery Nature Sanctuary in Winkler.
“They provide food and shelter for many animals. They provide oxygen, and they absorb carbon dioxide, and of course, that's all important to us as humans as well. We get a lot of our food and shelter [and medicines] from plants.”
Goossen says that plants also play an “important role” in the water cycle and with soil erosions. Moreover, they have economic value in industries like forestry and agriculture.
In short, there is no part of human life that plants do not impact in some way.
A life-giving component
Pollen is a key component for plants to multiply their gifts to the planet.
“Many of the plants that reproduce, of course, do this by producing this tiny sticky material called pollen, which is [made] in the anthers of the plant,” says Goossen.
“The anthers then produce this pollen, which falls on the plant stigma and enables fertilization to take place, and that results in seed production.”
The process leads to fruiting plants, but it can’t happen without the help of pollinators.
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Goossen says that one of the ways plants pollinate (in addition to wind and sometimes water) is with the assistance of small creatures — or pollinators.
“These are all animals that frequent flowers and that can ... cause the pollen to get moved from flower to flower because the pollen gets attached to their bodies and then they move to a plant,” he says.
The list of these important helpers includes bats, hummingbirds, moths, butterflies, flies, bees, and beetles, among others.
Growing population, decreasing habitat
The natural pollination process is currently enduring what Goossen calls the “growing population of people.”
The trend creates a circular challenge.
As humans encroach on the natural landscapes in which pollinators flourish and reduce their area due to population increases or sprawling, it simultaneously creates the need for more pollinators as food requirements grow.
“We need to protect habitats and pollinators so that we can ensure that food production is there for not only us but also for other species for survival,” says Goossen.
Which species of plants attract pollinators?
While the matter is sombre, planting a pollinator garden is anything but. In addition to their value in food production and ecosystems, pollinators add incredible aesthetic value through their colours, textures, fragrances, and flowering.
Goossen says that cherries and plums are “good examples” of plants that blossom in spring to attract pollinators in Manitoba. Other native species like wild roses, raspberries, western Canada violet, milkweed, prairie clover, and asters also do the trick.
Tips for growing a pollinator garden from Paul Goossen:
-The garden can be of any size
-Ensure the garden has adequate soil, water, and at least six hours of sunlight
-Choosing native plants is wise, but not mandatory
-It’s best to plant different types of flowers in clusters
-When selecting flowers, choose varieties that bloom at different times to provide pollinators a consistent source of food
-Plant flowers that have different colours and shapes
-Insect shelves or bee hotels can also be added to shelter pollinators
-Adding mulch or wood shavings to the area reduces need for watering
-Avoid pesticides
Beyond facilitating the movement of all-important pollen, another benefit of pollinator-attracting species is that they can be somewhat lower maintenance than other types of plants.
“They're adapted to the current environment in which they're living ... and they don't require a lot of water,” says Goossen.
“A lot of these grew up in the prairies, [which] have wet and dry cycles, so they have to be ready to be able to survive in situations where the water is limited.”
The glimmer of hope and renewal
While the issues facing pollinators today may be troubling, there are always positive signs.
One example is Goossen himself, whose team at DNS has shown that making a helpful impact on the environment is within reach.
The pollinator garden at Discovery Nature Sanctuary, which was established in 2020, initially had over 1700 native plants. In 2024, the organization added another 800.
In addition to making strides to preserve space for pollinators, informational signage at the site also helps educate the community about pollinator-friendly gardens.
“If people would like to go and just look at and see how a pollinator garden functions, they're certainly welcome to do so,” says Goossen.
Another piece of good news is that the garden has received significant attention, including recognition from the pollinator conservation organization Bee Better Manitoba.
DNS’s partnership with nature is also a part of the 1,000 Gardens Project, which strives to create a sprawling network of pollinator gardens across Canada.
Goossen is thankful for the combined efforts of volunteers, the City of Winkler, and the Pembina Valley Watershed District for their role in the garden’s success.
In the end, the garden’s existence indicates that even if pollinators are struggling today, there are people who care and take action.
“We all can do that in small ways,” says Goossen. “Even if you have a small little area in your yard, ... by planting plants that are pollinator-friendly, you’re contributing to helping the bigger picture of habitat for pollinators and of working toward trying to maintain plant values on planet Earth.”
For the latest on the Discovery Nature Sanctuary in Winkler, click here.