New homes are good for the economy, but consider adding habitat for pollinators 

Letter to the editor:

Generally speaking, most people enjoy eating and depend on it. These days, leafy greens and fruits are in particular demand. In junior high science, we all learned that it’s bees mostly responsible for pollination. As a reminder, there can be a flowering squash plant but if there is no pollination, there will be no squash.

Without pollinators, there is no food. I’ve noticed a marked decrease in monarch butterflies and bees as well as other insects. Every new home and other concrete slab, while good for the economy, removes necessary insect habitat. What if every concrete project would offset itself by creating an equal amount of natural habitat for pollinators? What if you turned half your yard into wildflowers resulting in less mowing and more pollinators?

Of course, the big killer of insects is the rampant use of pesticides on America’s farmland.  This has destroyed milkweed, the only plant monarchs eat. There must be other methods which would support farmers and prevent insect extinction. Please also consider the power you have to reframe your thinking about flowering weeds.

The insects and hummingbirds don’t know you’ve used a lawn treatment when they land so the spraying of grass and surrounding areas kills them. What if we could increase our appreciation and tolerance for flowering weeds?

The next time you bite into that crisp apple or toss blueberries on your cereal, please ponder what you can do, in return, for loving that food. It is not the job of someone else to prevent bee and monarch extinction. It is our job.

Margaret Schroeder

Fort Atkinson  

File photo. 

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2 Comments

  1. Walter Christensen

    Let’s remember Margaret’s thoughtful request when we choose or elected representatives, both local and otherwise.

  2. Ann

    A great letter! Many thanks for highlighting this do-able invitation!

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