A bee pollinating buckwheat plants in Limestone Canyon.
The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are considered to be one of the world’s biodiversity “hotspots” meaning the natural wildlands in this area have large concentrations of different species. In fact, the landscape is home to hundreds of species of plants and animals that coexist, some rare and only found in southern California. Irvine Ranch Conservancy and its partners work on a variety of restoration projects throughout the Landmarks to help native wildlands thrive, but they couldn’t do it without the help of local pollinators.
According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, plants serve as the foundations of our ecosystems, and over 80% of flowering plants require pollination services. When you hear the word pollinator, bees might be the first thing that come to mind, but there are a variety of different pollinators that help trees, wildflowers and locally grown crops reproduce and flourish. In addition to bees, other insects like butterflies, flies, moths, beetles, and wasps can serve as pollinators. Even birds, bats, small mammals, and lizards can act as pollinators.
According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, plants serve as the foundations of our ecosystems, and over 80% of flowering plants require pollination services. When you hear the word pollinator, bees might be the first thing that come to mind, but there are a variety of different pollinators that help trees, wildflowers and locally grown crops reproduce and flourish. In addition to bees, other insects like butterflies, flies, moths, beetles, and wasps can serve as pollinators. Even birds, bats, small mammals, and lizards can act as pollinators.
Over the years, studies have shown that some pollinator populations are declining. Species of bees, bats, hummingbirds, and butterflies have shown reduced numbers, including the Monarch Butterfly which was recently classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
To help pollinators on the Landmarks, Irvine Ranch Conservancy is preparing a Butterfly Enhancement Project in OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon to help local butterflies on the decline. The IRC team has identified seven areas of land where they will plant and tend to native species that butterflies rely on to survive.
Next time you are out exploring the trails, keep an eye out for local pollinators and thank them for the work they do! For more information about the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks and local pollinators, visit IRConservancy.org or follow the Landmarks on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
To help pollinators on the Landmarks, Irvine Ranch Conservancy is preparing a Butterfly Enhancement Project in OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon to help local butterflies on the decline. The IRC team has identified seven areas of land where they will plant and tend to native species that butterflies rely on to survive.
Next time you are out exploring the trails, keep an eye out for local pollinators and thank them for the work they do! For more information about the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks and local pollinators, visit IRConservancy.org or follow the Landmarks on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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