Get Involved

Plant Kits:  Members in the Pollinator Pathway!

In 2020, LLCT offered members a Spring and Summer Plant Kit curated by Evan Abramson and Dr. Robert Gegear that included a sampling of plants represented at the Birches School demonstration site. Over 100 members purchased kits totaling over 1800 plants! In 2021, more than 150 members purchased roughly 2,000 plants.

From Lincoln to Southborough and from Cambridge to Northampton, together we are helping to restore functionally diverse habitat by targeting at-risk pollination systems (the interactions between plants and pollinators). On behalf of wildlife and ecosystems everywhere, thank you!

Read more about the Plant Kits here.

Get into the Pollinator Pathway and help build a functionally diverse pollinator corridor across Lincoln one garden, one meadow, and one site at a time! Checkout the “Resources” section for information on steps you can take to help make a difference. Increase biodiversity and climate resiliency; protect Lincoln’s rural character!

 

Volunteer

To be successful in realizing the Lincoln Pollinator Action Plan, it will take participation from individuals and groups – from people like you! – to help steward the three Case Study (scientifically researched) sites and to collect much needed ecological data on native pollinator species through citizen science efforts.

Sign up to volunteer to be a Habitat Hero, Citizen Scientist, or to Adopt-A-Case Study Site.

Habitat Hero

Volunteers participate in planting plugs and shrubs, and ongoing maintenance activities. Duties may include field edge clearing, invasive species management, weeding, watering, and collecting seed once plants are established. Individuals or groups are led by LLCT staff or trained stewardship volunteers. Collaboration with Lincoln’s Conservation Department staff or other partner organizations sometimes occurs. This opportunity works well for an individual or an organized group, such as a company outing, a faith-based group, a social group or club, or for organized youth groups, such as scouts or school groups.

Be a Citizen Scientist

Volunteers digitally collect and submit ecological data on native pollinator species using The Beecology Project’s smartphone and web apps. The app guides users through an easy sequence of steps to identify bumblebee species and how to submit pictures to the database. In addition to learning about bumblebees, participants will be contributing directly to the scientific work being done in Lincoln! Participants will be provided with an orientation led by LLCT staff, or trained Beecologist volunteers. This opportunity works well for an individual, family, or an organized group, such as environmental-based group or club, or faith-based group, or for organized youth groups, such as scouts or school groups.

The first phase of the project is focused on bumblebee-plant species interactions (pollination systems), with later phases focused on nesting and overwintering site preferences in bumblebees. The project will also expand to include other pollinator groups and geographic locations in North America.

LLCT is also looking into participating in the Monarch Watch program. Stay tuned!

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Adopt-A-Case Study Site

Volunteers are assigned to a Case Study (scientifically researched) site in the Lincoln Pollinator Action Plan project. They may at times submit reports to the LLCT staff; for example, following a major weather event, we may ask groups to check on the condition of sites, help clean up sites, and report back any issues that require expert attention or special equipment. Duties include observing site conditions, recording maintenance needs, and performing stewardship activities, such as field edge clearing, invasive species management, weeding, watering, and collecting seed once plants are established. Volunteers are provided with an orientation led by LLCT staff. This opportunity works well for an individual, family, or an organized group, such as a company outing, a faith-based group, a social group or club, or for organized youth groups, such as scouts or school groups.