Planting for Pollinators at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
By planting native wildflowers, especially milkweed for monarchs, we can create the essential habitats these insects require. Recently, new guidance was issued for all U.S. Fish and Wildlife habitat management programs in the Midwest Region, detailing standards for monarch butterfly and pollinator habitats. These guidelines aim to support the conservation of monarch butterfly habitats. To meet the basic standards, seed mixes must contain at least one species of native milkweed and a minimum of nine native flowering species, with three blooming in Spring (April-June), three in Summer (June-July), and three in Fall (August-October). To exceed these minimum requirements, seed mixes will feature multiple native milkweed species and enhance the diversity of native flowering plants throughout the blooming seasons. Whenever possible, seeds are sourced locally, and exposure to insecticides is minimized. These habitat standards not only boost food availability for later-migrating monarchs but also provide more opportunities for many native butterflies, moths, and bees to thrive. At Ottawa, we have been dispersing additional milkweed seeds in our newer planting areas to enhance the presence of this crucial host plant.
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Seed Mix for 4 acres of upland habitat on the East side of Bodi Road in the Kontz Unit
In the 2024/25 winter, a seed mix that exceeds the minimum requirements of the new guidance will be planted in 4 acres of the Kontz Unit East of Bodi Road, located along Route 2. This seed mix contains 29 native plants, 87% forbs and 13% grasses (% by weight). Of the 29 plants, 10 will bloom in Spring, 20 will bloom in Summer, and 25 will bloom in the Fall. Some plants have long bloom times, such as Ox Eye Sunflower and Butterfly Milkweed which bloom from late Spring into Fall, while others like New England Aster, Stiff Goldenrod, and Prairie Ironweed bloom primarily in the Fall.
The table below highlights 14 species in the seed mix with their bloom period, flower color, and notable pollinators. Consider planting some (or all!) of these species in your yard.
The table below highlights 14 species in the seed mix with their bloom period, flower color, and notable pollinators. Consider planting some (or all!) of these species in your yard.