15 Minute Field Trips: Bee Charmer

Plant for Pollinators! Bees are especially threatened by loss of habitat and lack of food in the early and late season. By planting native flowers we can especially help our native friends! Plant in clumps instead of single specimens and vary shapes (round, cone, umbrel, etc.) to attract different pollinators. You MUST include at least one plant that flowers in the spring, one in the summer, and one in the fall to earn your badge. This list is for the New England area.

Spring: Apple, Bloodroot, Blueberry, Catmint, Dandelion, Dead Nettle, Lavender, Muscari, Pear, Rockcress, Sage, Solomon’s Seal, Violet

Summer: Black-Eyed Susan, Borage, Calendula, Columbine, Coneflower, Heliotrope, Hollyhocks, Lupine, Milkweed, Oregano, Sunflower, Thyme, Yarrow, Zinnia

Fall: Aster, Goldenrod, Joe Pye Weed, Milkweed, Sedum

Adult Signature: _____________________________

Warrior Name: ______________________________

Take a bee journey here.
Learn how to plant for pollinators and use pesticides safely with the Xerces Society here and here and here.
Become a Citizen Scientist in the Great Sunflower Project and get FREE printable bee cards here.
Bee Guide here.
FREE book here.
BEST lecture here.
Pollinator Project with PATCH here.
BumblebeeCitizen Science Project here.
Coloring page here.
Powerpoint here.

Design your own bee cards! I used the Great Sunflower Project cards for ideas on symbols showing where bees live (hive, wood, mud, earth tunnels), when they are around (spring, summer, and/or fall), and whether they like all flowers or just a few. (Leaf cutter bees like fuzzy leaves to cut and line their nests with.) Make an ace card with a "clover" (club), diamond, spade, or heart!