From vineyards to conservancies, North Bay ecologists are planting a ‘pollinator superhighway’ By Janet Perry F rom monarch butterflies to songbirds, there is a whole array of native insects and birds that help create a healthy biosphere in the North Bay area. That translates to healthy soil and water which are needed for hearty crops and vineyards. With crises in biodiversity and crashing numbers of native insects and birds, many in the North Bay have taken up the banner in recreating native habitats—and are creating hope along with every native plant they put in the ground. Perhaps one of the most well-known of the North Bay native pollinators is the Western Monarch Butterfly. Suzanne Clarke, founder of the Sonoma County Butterfly Alliance (SCBA), has been working with the Marin Monarch Working Group to create a pollinator corridor for the Western Monarchs. The Western Monarchs spend the winter along the Marin coast and then travel inland toward Sonoma Valley. Alarmingly, their numbers have dropped 99% since the 1980s because of climate change, habitat loss, pesticide use and parasites. The pollinator corridor would help them by providing what they need along the coast as well as on their journey into Sonoma County.
Native verbena planted next to the culinary gardens at Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate help to provide habitat for a host of native insects and birds.
NorthBaybiz 49 NorthBaybiz 49
March 2024
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator