Pollinator Initiatives

What Are Pollinators?

When you hear the word pollinator you might immediately think about honeybees. While bees certainly make up a significant portion of pollinators, other common pollinators include butterflies, birds, bats, beetles, flies, and other insects. Do you know there are approximately 3,600 bee species native to the United States and many are nonaggressive or stingless? For more information about pollinators and how to help protect them visit the Xerces Society webpage here Version Options Pollinator Initiatives Headline What Are Pollinators? What Are Pollinators? What Are Pollinators? What Are Pollinators? What Are Pollinators? What Are Pollinators? What Are Pollinators? What Are Pollinators? What Are Pollinators? What Are Pollinators? What Are Pollinators? What Are Pollinators? What Are Pollinators? What Are Pollinators? What Are Pollinators? What Are Pollinators? What Are Pollinators? What Are Pollinators? What Are Pollinators? What Are Pollinators?.

Why pollinators Matter

• Pollinators support healthy ecosystems
• They support our food systems
• They support the plants and flowers we enjoy

Threats to Pollinators

• Habitat loss and fragmentation
• Invasive species
• Pesticide exposure
• Limited plant diversity in developed areas

Designations

The City of River Falls is a designated Bee City, Monarch City, and Bird City and works to promote each of these species.

Key Priorities

• Pollinator friendly land management
• Native plantings
• Managing invasive species
• Integrated pest management
• Habitat creation and expansion
• Education and community partnership

Projects

DeSantis Park Bee Lawn: In 2025 the City began replacement of a portion of turf area within DeSantis Park with a pollinator friendly "bee lawn." Existing turf was removed and a seed mix that includes pollinator friendly plants and flowers was planted to support local pollinators. 

DeSantis Park Monarch Trail Gardens: The Bee City Committee has begun planning themed pollinator demonstration gardens located within DeSantis Park. As people walk along the trails in DeSantis park, they will encounter various gardens focused on different types of pollinators. This project is in the initial planning stages and implementation will tentatively begin in Spring of 2026.

How To Help

• Consider planting native plants in your landscaping
• Reduce turf areas or areas without many pollinator friendly plants
• Avoid and limit the use of pesticides: especially while plants are flowering 
• Adjust mowing schedule to promote flowering plants during early spring and late fall when pollinator food sources are scarce
• Spread awareness and advocate for pollinators

Bee City Committee 

The City's Bee City Committee meets on the third Wednesday of each month from 4:30-5:30pm. The public is welcome to join and give input about how you would like to see pollinators promoted within the City. 

Resources

Home - Bee City USA
Pollinator Friendly Plants of the Great Lakes (PDF)
Protecting Habitat From Pesticides
UW Extension: Wisconsin Pollinators