The Vermont Pollinator Working Group is a consortium of organizations and businesses working together on projects to tackle urgent threats to bees and other pollinators in Vermont and the Northeast.
Events
Pollinator Celebration Day
Saturday, May 31 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Shelburne Farms, Shelburne Vermont
The Vermont Pollinator Working Group presents a celebration of all-things pollinators for the learners of all ages! From managed honey bees to the 350 species of native bees in Vermont, we will learn from experts about their extraordinary diversity and importance! Discover how you can support pollinators in your community and backyard. Hear from our keynote speakers and join us for afternoon workshops (pre registration required, intended for a young adult/adult audience). Meet the organizations who are working together to tackle urgent threats to bees and other pollinators in the Northeast and visit your local native plant suppliers at the Pollinator Plaza.
Our Initiatives
Know Your 5: Wild Pollinator Awareness
With more than 350 species of bees in Vermont, it’s daunting to understand them all. We have summarized the pollination needs of major crops in Vermont and identified 5 wild bees (or other pollinators) that provide pollination services or are supported by each crop. By identifying and understanding the natural history of these bees, we can help farmers provide the specific habitat that will help to ensure resilient and abundant pollination services for maximum crop yield. Know Your 5 has been promoted to members of the Vermont Tree Fruit Growers association, Vermont Vegetable and Berry Grower’s association, and other Vermont crop producers by UVM Extension, Gund Institute, and Vermont Center for Ecostudies. For more information, visit Vermont Center for Ecostudies and UVM Extension.
Reducing Neonicotinoid Exposure to Pollinators
We are conducting an outreach and education campaign to reduce neonicotinoid exposure to pollinators. As part of this work, we launched a community science pesticide monitoring project to better understand when and where honey bees are exposed to neonicotinoids. This research is informing policy recommendations and the advocacy work of some VPWG members.
Increasing the Market for Native Plants in Vermont
We are networking with Vermont nurseries, plant growers, and local conservation districts to increase the availability and market demand of native plants in Vermont. We help to organize native plant sales, connect local growers, and develop resources for producers and consumers on growing native plant stock, selecting pollinator plants for your area, and finding a local native plant supplier.
In partnership, UVM Extension’s Pollinator Support Program, the VT Nursery and Landscape Association, and the VT Vegetable and Berry Grower’s association hosted a “Sourcing and Selling Pollinator Plants on the Farm” webinar with speakers, Spencer Hardy from The Farm Upstream and Sara Salatino from Full Circle Gardens. A recording of this event can be found here. Our most recent native plant sale with local growers was hosted at the 2024 Biodiversity Jamboree on June 8th, presented by the VT Center For Ecostudies and North Branch Nature Center.
Looking for native plants and local plant suppliers? Look no further! The VT Pollinator Working Group developed a resource of local suppliers in Vermont. For the full list, visit here.
If you are a supplier looking to be added to the list email [email protected]
In partnership, UVM Extension’s Pollinator Support Program, the VT Nursery and Landscape Association, and the VT Vegetable and Berry Grower’s association hosted a “Sourcing and Selling Pollinator Plants on the Farm” webinar with speakers, Spencer Hardy from The Farm Upstream and Sara Salatino from Full Circle Gardens. A recording of this event can be found here. Our most recent native plant sale with local growers was hosted at the 2024 Biodiversity Jamboree on June 8th, presented by the VT Center For Ecostudies and North Branch Nature Center.
Looking for native plants and local plant suppliers? Look no further! The VT Pollinator Working Group developed a resource of local suppliers in Vermont. For the full list, visit here.
If you are a supplier looking to be added to the list email [email protected]
VPWG Participants
American Bird Conservancy
Audubon Society
Amber Roots Farm
Bee The Change
Biological Capital
Bird and Bee Native Plants Nursery
Cedar Circle Farm
Champlain Valley Apiaries
Conservation Law Foundation
Covered Bridges Blueberry Farm
French Hill Apiaries
Intervale Conservation Nursery
Lake Champlain Basin Program
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Natural Resource Defense Council
Audubon Society
Amber Roots Farm
Bee The Change
Biological Capital
Bird and Bee Native Plants Nursery
Cedar Circle Farm
Champlain Valley Apiaries
Conservation Law Foundation
Covered Bridges Blueberry Farm
French Hill Apiaries
Intervale Conservation Nursery
Lake Champlain Basin Program
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Natural Resource Defense Council
NOFA VT
Northeast Pollinator Plants
Philo Ridge Market Garden
Pollinator Pathway
Rural Vermont
Shelburne Farms
University of Vermont Extension
UVM Gund Institute for the Environment
Vermont Beekeepers Association
Vermont Bee Lab
Vermont Center for Ecostudies
Vermont Natural Resource Council
VPIRG
White River Conservation District
Xerces
Northeast Pollinator Plants
Philo Ridge Market Garden
Pollinator Pathway
Rural Vermont
Shelburne Farms
University of Vermont Extension
UVM Gund Institute for the Environment
Vermont Beekeepers Association
Vermont Bee Lab
Vermont Center for Ecostudies
Vermont Natural Resource Council
VPIRG
White River Conservation District
Xerces
How to get involved?
Are you a VT business or organization interested in joining the VPWG? Questions about our initiatives and available resources? Reach out to [email protected] for more information.
The VPWG was initiated in 2023 and made possible with funding from the UVM Gund Apis Award and the One Hive Foundation.