BIO DIVERSITY

DAY 12

GREENER

The Green Queens jericho.s_r rachelle.lee@jerichoapps.org Jericho High School

Our Dream

Garden

Our 12 Native Plants

False White Indigo- These are beneficial

because not only are they native to our area, but

they are also pollinator friendly for butterflies!

Purple Giant Hyssop- honey bees and native

bees

Indian Hemp: good for long-tongued and short-

tongued bees, Sphecid wasps, butterflies,

skippers, and various kinds of flies.

Geranium maculatum-Wild Geranium: A

Juvenal’s duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis) feeds on

it

Asclepias Tuberosa - Also known as butterfly

milkweed, the bright flowers attract butterflies

and are pollinator friendly. This plant can also be

used as a nesting place for butterflies, especially

monarch butterflies.

Lobelia cardinalis- Cardinal Flower: beneficial

to hummingbirds and butterflies.

Our 12 Native Plants

Acer rubrum- Red Maples attract bees when they are

budding late spring. The bees attain copious amounts

of pollen, from the flowers that bloom on the branches

of the maple trees, and spread it.

Sambucus canadensis- Common Elderberry attracts

flies, bees, beetles. It is an important nectar source for

these pollinators.

Monarda fistulosa- Wild Bergamot- Very high

pollinator value. Value to Beneficial Insects- bee flies,

butterflies, skippers, hummingbirds moths, and bees

Solidago nemoralis- Gray Goldenrod- a pretty yellow

flower that blooms from August through October. Value

to Beneficial Insects- bees, short-tongued bees,

Sphecid and Vespid wasps, flies, butterflies, moths, and

beetles

Vaccinium spp.- Blueberries - Blueberries rely on

native bees to pollinate them. Without the bees,

blueberry plants could die out and reduce biodiversity in

our ecosystem.

Symphyotrichum spp. - Aster - This flower gives

room for butterflies to land and perch on allowing them

to rest. Bees and beetles are also primary pollinators of

this flower.

Garden Equipment 

Wheelbarrow

Hand Trowel

Shovel

Crop rotation

Create a DIY organic pesticide!

NEEM: To make your own neem oil spray, add 1/2 an ounce of

high-quality organic neem oil and ½ teaspoon of a mild organic

liquid soap (I use Dr. Bronners Peppermint) to two quarts of warm

water. Stir slowly. Add to a spray bottle and use immediately.

Mineral Oil: Mix 10-30 ml of high-grade oil with one liter of water.

Stir and add to spray bottle. This organic pesticide works well for

dehydrating insects and their eggs.

Soap, Orange Citrus Oil, and Water: To make this natural

pesticide, simply mix three tablespoons of liquid Organic Castile

soap with 1 ounce of Orange oil to one gallon of water. Shake

well. This is an especially effective treatment against slugs and

can be sprayed directly on ants and roaches.

https://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/organic-

pesticides/

Pesticide Alternatives

Water Conservation

Use gray water- The term “gray water” refers

to untreated wastewater from bathtubs,

showers, bathroom sinks, laundry sinks, and

washing machines. This water typically runs

down the drain to fill your septic system, but

when properly stored and filtered, gray water

can be diverted for use in irrigation. This is

eco-friendly and saves money as well!

Rain Barrel- A rain barrel can collect all of the

excess rain that is usually dripping down your

roof and put it to a good use for gardening,

saving water!

Drip Irrigation: Water is delivered directly to

the root zone of plants, eliminating runoff and

losses through evaporation.

BIODIVERSITY IS IMPORTANT!

Global biodiversity has

declined 50% in the past

40 years.  

 We have been losing species due to our

carelessness and disregard.Deforestation and

other human actions are responsible. Our

lives are at risk if we don’t put a stop to this

because eco-systems can’t function. 

Spread the word to help promote biodiversity. 

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Over 30% of species are considered threatened with

extinction!

SAVE THE POLLINATORS!

Loss of biodiversity is harming pollinators.

Pollinators, which are bees, butterflies, and

hummingbirds,  are the most vital organisms

on the planet. 

Let’s put an end to this.

Why? Because they allow the fruits and

vegetables we eat to grow and thrive. For every

three bites of food, bees and pollinators are

responsible. But 40% of these pollinators are

becoming extinct. Bees are dying, losing 42.1% of

their hives, thanks to pesticides and chemicals. 

Taking Action

We took action by signing Friends of the Earth's

campaign to protect our pollinators!!