Gaia Herbs Sustainability Report 2020 - Report - Page 9
PROTECTING OUR
POLLINATORS
Pollinators are any animal or insect that causes plants to make fruit or
seeds by moving pollen, which is the dusty grains that carry the male
parts of a plant so that reproduction may occur. Beyond the common
and beetles, all of which play a major role on our farm.
In 2019, we planted an additional 600 swamp milkweed plants through
our Pollinator Prosperity program. This is to ensure that migrating
Monarch butterflies have plentiful food and a place to lay eggs.
Adult Monarch butterflies can feed on the nectar from a variety of
flowers, but like many human children, their offspring are pickier. They
only eat milkweed leaves, so Monarchs lay their eggs on milkweed
plants to ensure their newly hatched caterpillars have a food source
from day one.
Unfortunately, rapidly vanishing milkweed habitats pose a serious threat
to the population of Monarch butterflies. Their future survival is also
threatened by habitat loss and the widespread use of herbicides and
insecticides. This is why we have prioritized efforts to help this species.
Since 2017, we have maintained a Certified Monarch Waystation on
our farm, providing a safe place for migrating Monarch butterflies.
In addition to our swamp milkweed plants, our farm is home to several
other species of pollinator-friendly plants including Echinacea, Valerian,
California Poppy, Lemon Balm, and more, ensuring the health of our
200 beehives and encouraging even greater pollinator biodiversity.
SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2019 // PLANTS // P.9
bees and butterflies, other pollinators include ants, birds, bats, moths,
