Lincoln Pollinator Action Plan: Published March 2021
The Lincoln Pollinator Action Plan report, prepared by Evan Abramson, principal at Landscape Interactions, is a comprehensive field guide for creating and maintaining pollinator habitat on a wide range of landscapes to support threatened and at-risk pollinator species in the Northeast. With a focus on scientific research, landscape design, and replicability, the Action Plan provides important context for this work and invites the reader to learn more about creating and maintaining connected pollinator habitats. Additionally, a summary report on the Case Study sites from Dr. Robert Gegear at UMASS Dartmouth will be uploaded here in December, 2022.
March 2023 Project Updates
In March 2023 LLCT Staff gave highlights from the last three years of implementing the Pollinator Action Plan and shared plans for spring 2023.
2021 Pollinator Action Plan Workshop with Evan Abramson
This virtual workshop on April 1, 2021 launched the Lincoln Pollinator Action Plan. Evan Abramson walked participants through the plan, sharing the toolkits for the four case study sites, which include management practices and planting lists. After the presentation, Evan answered questions from the audience with a particular focus on site and plant selection.
2020 Virtual Bumblebee ID Workshop
Filmed by The Natural World in Summer 2020 for LLCT, a virtual alternative to an in-person program. Learn to identify seven species of bumblebees spotted in Lincoln, including the basics of bumblebee anatomy and behavior. Heartfelt thanks to Norman Levey for creating this program.
2020 Beecology Community Science Tutorial
Recorded by Dr. Robert Gegear, this 30 minute tutorial walks you through the ins and outs of Beecology, a web application where you can upload bumblebee videos for identification. Submissions to Beecology contribute to Dr. Gegear’s research, as he tracks bumblebee populations around Lincoln and analyzes bee behavior (pollen or nectar collection), plant interactions (what species of plants are visited by which species of bees), and more.
March 2020 Biodiversity Program with Evan Abramson
In early March 2020, Evan Abramson gave a great lecture on planting for pollinators and biodiversity. Evan also shared preliminary plans for the Demonstration Pollinator Garden at Birches School (see the Garden and Lawn Toolkit for final designs). Thank you to Lincoln Cable and Jim Cunningham for recording the presentation.
January 2020 People-Plant-Pollinator Connection with Dr. Robert Gegear
In January 2020, Dr. Gegear kicked off LLCT’s Pollinator Action Plan with a great overview of pollination systems and functional diversity. As part of this three year LLCT initiative, Dr. Gegear will be surveying bumblebee populations in Lincoln and in coordination with Evan Abramson, recommending habitat enhancements and targeted management strategies to best support increased diversity of bumblebees in Lincoln. Thank you to Weston Media Center for recording the presentation.
2020 Interactive Map of Pollinator Spaces in Lincoln
As Lincoln’s Pollinator Corridor continues to grow, we celebrate the more than 50 participants who planted nearly 2,000 native, pollinator-supporting plants around Lincoln and in surrounding communities in 2020. Check out this map to see a visual representation of the corridor! Names and addresses have been removed for privacy reasons. Also, please note that these sites are private homes and gardens. LLCT’s Pollinator Meadow is open to the public and located in the field behind the tennis courts at the Lincoln Public Schools. Once completed, there will be opportunities to explore the Birches School Demonstration Garden as well.
Best Practices and Evidence-based Plant Recommendations (Updated 2020)
At Dr. Gegear’s talk for the LLCT in January 2020, he provided a checklist that one can use to evaluate whether or not a garden or landscape, or plans for one, meet the requirements of providing functionally diverse habitat. Functional diversity is a critical measure of an ecosystem’s productivity and stability, and one measure of a biodiverse ecosystem. Can you check off all the boxes?
Dr. Gegear’s Checklist for Functionally Diverse Habitat (PDF)
Dr. Gegear’s Working List of Plants for a Functionally Diverse Habitat (PDF)
Before you start planting, follow these recommendations from the LLCT to make sure your garden or landscape will be an ideal habitat:
Guide to Creating a Pollinator Friendly Space (PDF)
- Stop all pesticide use.
- Reduce your mowing frequency.
- Dedicate less area to lawn and more to native flowering plants that sustain at-risk pollinators.
- Allow lawn “weeds” like dandelion to grow; they are an important food source for bumblebees!
- Create habitat in your lawn. Follow the steps in the Garden + Lawn Toolkit.
- Manage and remove invasive species.
- Do not use cultivars! Many produce beautiful flowers, but poor quality pollen and nectar — or none at all.
- Use neonicotinoid and pesticide-free soil, seed, plugs, and plants. Always ask your source if their products are free and clear of harmful chemicals.
- Source seed and plants that are native to Massachusetts and New England.
- Choose plants that provide nectar and/or pollen, function as a host plant, or provide nesting habitat for at-risk wild pollinators, from early spring through late fall.
- Discuss your landscaping objectives with your landscaper; make sure they will not apply or pull anything without your knowledge and consent!
- Eliminate light pollution after dark by installing motion sensors. Try using yellow light bulbs instead of white; yellow is a wavelength moths don’t respond to.
