Pollinator Friendly Community

bee
The City of East Lansing has been declared a Pollinator Friendly Community since August 2016. View East Lansing City Council's most recent resolution supporting this declaration. 

The resolution acknowledges the importance of pollinators to local agriculture, ecosystems and economies; and recognizes the recent decline in pollinator populations due to increased use of pesticides, loss of habitat and loss of food supply. The resolution also acknowledges that the primary driver of pollinator health is the presence and availability of pollinator-friendly flowers and trees.

Planting for Pollinators

Native plants and wildflowers thrive in their natural environment and require less watering, maintenance and pesticides. They also provide habitat and food for many pollinators. Download the document below to learn about selecting plants for your yard that will benefit pollinators.

Planting for Pollinators (PDF)


Pesticides and Their Impact

Pesticides pose hazards to pollinators and their habitats. They also negatively impact wildlife, including pollinators, aquatic life, and contaminate our water resources and soils. Download the document below to learn more about how pesticides impact pollinators and what you can do to reduce pesticide use in your yard.

Pesticides and Their Impact (PDF)


How It All Ties Together - Integrated Pest Management

Integrated pest management (IPM) is used to manage pests by the most economical means and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment. IPM strives to reduce chemical pesticide use while maintaining a safe and healthy yard. Download the document below to learn more about IPM and how it relates to pollinators, pests, and water management.

Integrated Pest Management (PDF)


What You Can Do

Community members are encouraged to be a part of making East Lansing more friendly to pollinators. Here are a few ways community members can help make a difference:

  • Reduce the use of pesticides and other chemicals in yards.
  • Plant a variety of native and pollinator-friendly plants that are well-suited for your yard.
  • Free, bee-friendly flower seeds are available at the East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road. Just stop by and ask about the ELPL Seed Library!
  • Plant a pollinator garden and register it as part of the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge!
  • Leave some areas of yard mulch-free.
  • Depending on the rate of growth, limit mowing to every two to three weeks.
  • Convert portions of lawns into wildflower meadows.
  • Plant a rain garden.
  • Become a Master Gardener. Check out MSU Extension’s Master Gardener Program.
  • Spread the word! Share your gardening accomplishments and resources with friends, family and neighbors.

What the City is Doing

  • The East Lansing Public Library collaborated with MSU and MSU Extension to host multiple webinars on pollinators, gardening and smart lawn care.
  • The City created educational resources to encourage residents to reduce pesticide use and incorporate pollinator-friendly lawn care practices.
  • The City built multiple demonstration gardens.
  • In Albert A. White Memorial Park, the City is planting more native plants and is converting a large, mowed area in the park to pollinator habitat.
  • The City continues to offer free seeds at the ELPL’s Seed Library.
  • The City received grant funding for tree planting to increase the amount of native, pollinator-friendly trees on City property.
  • More than 50% of the trees planted within East Lansing each year are native, pollinator-friendly trees.
The City will continue to incorporate pollinator-friendly policies and practices and will reduce pesticide use on City property where possible to benefit pollinators, the environment and the community.