My dream is to transform my backyard into a thriving habitat for pollinators and birds. However there's so much information available, it's often difficult to sift through what's trending in the garden industry and what's science-backed information.
While searching for spring garden inspiration and new native plants, I stumbled upon Pollinator Resorts, an online educational program that helps people transform their yard into a habitat for pollinators and birds in as little as six weeks.
The Pollinator Movement is led by Monica Yadeun, PhD, founder, director and science facilitator. After collaborating in wildlife conservation programs across the world, she noticed a need to do conservation in a different way. For her PhD, she designed a pedagogy that brings together scientists, Indigenous experts and everyday people. This pedagogy gave origin to The Pollinator Movement.
Monica and her all-female team are on a mission to help transform our cities into spaces of co-existence between humans and other species.
Selected by UpLink - The World Economic Forum as one of the 15 initiatives worldwide that are helping regenerate biodiversity in the cities, the Pollinator Movement now has a global pilot program that you can be a part of as a citizen scientist.
All of this invaluable information is part of expanding my own knowledge to make my garden a more beautiful and healthy place to be - for me and the pollinators! The pilot program is $99 and helps provide scholarships for impoverished cities and neighborhoods in Mexico.
So, how does it work?
What you can expect from the pilot program:
Pre-recorded video tutorials, guides, workbooks, plans, etc.
An opportunity to learn at your own pace.
Feedback from conservation scientists and Indigenous experts.
26 video-tutorials to guide you step by step on how to build a habitat.
Insights to strategies Indigenous communities have used for centuries to solve major environmental challenges.
Practical exercises to connect with Nature through Indigenous philosophies.
Fillable worksheets to help you plan your habitat.
Checklists to keep track of your practical progress.
Fun practical challenges to help you build your habitat.
Guides with practical tips.
Blueprints for building refuges for different pollinators.
Learn to recognize which products are good for pollinators and which ones can harm them.
How it helps the environment and humans:
Help regenerate the planet and native bees, bumblebees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
Connect with the pollinators and birds that visit your space.
Besides helping biodiversity, the project generates jobs for Indigenous women and creates measurable behavioral change in our students.
What you observe in your yard or outdoor space will become crucial data for understanding how to take better care of urban pollinators.
A meaningful experience to connect with nature and make a difference in the conservation of our natural habitats.
Want more info? Explore the Pollinator Resorts website for full details.
About Monica Yadeun, PhD
Founder, director and science facilitator.
Monica is a wildlife veterinarian, has a master's in science and a PhD in education. After collaborating in wildlife conservation programs across the world, she noticed a need to do conservation in a different way. For her PhD, she designed a pedagogy that brings together scientists, Indigenous experts and everyday people. This pedagogy gave origin to The Pollinator Movement.