Seed A Legacy Program

Wright Service Corp. is taking advantage of a partnership to help honeybees and monarch butterflies through the Bee & Butterfly Habitat Fund’s (BBHF) pollinator habitat program called Seed A Legacy. The BBHF’s project on campus grounds will establish a high-quality pollinator habitat to ensure that honeybee and monarch butterfly populations thrive. The BBHF works with landowners, conservationists, scientists and beekeepers to design and build healthy and sustainable pollinator habitats.

Pollinator populations are experiencing critical population declines. Monarch butterfly populations have declined by 80% over the past 20 years, honeybee hive losses top 40% annually, and as of 2017, the rusty-patched bumble bee is an endangered species. Projects like the one at the WSC corporate office are helping to curb that decline.

“The Seed A Legacy program offers a unique opportunity to get a high-quality pollinator habitat on the landscape in a critical location of the country,” says Chip Taylor, Director of Monarch Watch. “Establishing a pollinator habitat is one of the most impactful ways that people can benefit monarch butterflies and other important pollinator species.”

One out of every three bites of food we eat exists because of pollinators, including many fruits, vegetables and seeds. Pollinators are not only necessary for our own food, but also for native wildlife. Iowa projects serve a critical role in addressing the National Pollinator Partnership Action Plan goals because of the location on monarchs’ migratory path.

A Habitat at Wright

On this project, pre-planning and site preparation started over a year ago. These are the most critical elements of a successful project. During the growing season, WSC has been working to eliminate the existing grasses and weeds to ensure a successful planting this winter. At that time, it will be ready for dormant seeding. The seeds will be broadcasted by hand with a honeybee clover mix and the other half to a monarch mix – a diverse mix with 63 wildflower species. Mixture descriptions and pollinator value scores can be found at www.beeandbutterflyfund.org. By planting two separate mixtures, WSC will be providing abundant lush and dense forage with the clover mix, which can also be used as a prescribed fire break. The monarch mix contains slower-growing wildflowers that will provide nectar resources for monarchs and other pollinators and a place for monarchs to lay eggs.

Growing Process

Planting in the winter is referred to as dormant seeding because it closely mimics what would happen naturally. Native plant seeds are adapted to being dropped on the ground at the end of the growing season, lay dormant throughout the winter, then emerge in the spring. Many of the native seeds need a freezing and thawing cycle in order to break the seed coat so that the seedling can emerge. Here’s what you can expect during the first three growing seasons.

Spring 2022 – First Season

The habitat will be full of weeds; this is normal. The native plants will be growing roots and you won’t see much above four to five inches in the first year. Mowing will play an important part to reduce the weed load.

Spring 2023 – Second Season

A few blooms from early establishers will start to appear.

Spring 2024 – Third Season

A higher number of plants will begin to bloom. The seed mixtures are custom designed to include species that bloom at different times and have various colors and flower shapes.

Support the Mission

The BBHF believes that everyone can do something positive for our struggling pollinators. If you don’t have the space for the Seed A Legacy program, you can plant pollinator-friendly natives in your yard which should include common milkweed or swamp milkweed. You can also donate to Gifts that Grow to support other local projects.

By Elsa Gallagher, Habitat Program Coordinator, Bee & Butterfly Habitat Fund

This article was published in “An Outside Perspective,” a section of the Wright Service Corp. biannual newsletter, The Wright Perspective.