Lunenburg Community Pollinator Habitat

06/10/2026

A little update for the thoughtful gardeners!

Want to support swallowtail butterflies in your garden? Different swallowtail species rely on specific host plants to lay their eggs and nourish their caterpillars. From tulip trees and pawpaws to spicebush and pipevines, these plants play a vital role in every stage of their life cycle.

Check out this guide to learn which host plants support some of our most beautiful swallowtail butterflies and how you can help them thrive right in your own backyard.

06/06/2026

This is a lovely story featuring the benefits and value of moths:

Ellie Wilson is a classically trained violinist who has previously performed in rock and folk bands. She uses moth data to create songs to highlight the importance of the insect. Reporter Bianca Hillier brought us this story last year. This story originally aired on June 12, 2025.

06/05/2026

Have plans for this weekend? How about *plants*?

Red Trillium Gardens will be at the opening Leominster Farmers' Market tomorrow, Sat June 6, 2026, in Monument Square in Leominster, MA, from 10am - 1pm. Come and shop our native plants, as well as goodies from ~20 other vendors!

Available for the first time at our nursery: Tall meadow-rue, or Thalictrum pubescens (pictured). Look at its lacy foliage and its delicate breaking flower buds! This perennial wildflower has striking "pom poms" of white flowers and loves sunny, moist sites. It's growing fast, so come get it before I have to bump it up to a bigger pot (and a higher price)!

06/03/2026

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has issued a historic decision to designate more than 1.5 million acres of critical habitat for the endangered rusty patched bumble bee. The species was first petitioned for listing by the Xerces Society in 2013.

06/02/2026

June marks the start of National Pollinator Month, a time to celebrate and support the bees, butterflies, bats, moths, and other pollinators that keep ecosystems and food systems thriving. Many of these important species are in decline, and they need our help.

Support Pollinator Partnership’s on-the-ground conservation work through our Pollinator Month Auction, now live on Zeffy! Browse a variety of unique packages and experiences, from bee-friendly vineyard tours to wildflower field guides and more. Every bid helps protect and restore pollinator habitat while empowering communities to support pollinators nationwide.

Start bidding today and help create a more pollinator-friendly future!
🔗zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/pollinator-partnerships-2026-silent-auction

Photo: Anthony Colangelo, Pollinator Partnership

05/24/2026

It’s that time of year again. In Central MA, it’s time to opt out of the mosquito spraying program. Not all towns participate, but Lunenburg has agreed to participate again this year. Spraying begins June 1st. You can have your property excluded using the website linked below.

Including applications performed by the Mosquito Control Projects/Districts

05/23/2026

Habitat management works! ❤️

A bee disappeared from this New York City park. Then it came back. Not by accident—but because native blueberry shrubs were planted. The Southeastern Blueberry Bee (Habropoda laboriosa, above) depends on these plants to survive. When we plant intentionally, biodiversity follows.

Join us June 16th at 6:30 PM EST on Zoom to learn from bee biologist Sarah Kornbluth how she has helped land managers restore bee communities at The Battery, a living park at the southernmost tip of Manhattan. Sarah will explore bee community dynamics in cities and suburbs, their co-evolution with native plants, and how we can best provide the habitat they need.

Sean Kiely, Park Manager at The Battery, will introduce Sarah and talk about the park’s plantings for pollinators, its shift over time toward planting more native species, and its surprise to learn how many wild bee species make their homes in this one corner of New York City.

Register in advance for this webinar with the link below or in our Linktree.

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/xnfuuBN9SPOfAk1cMI13dA #/registration

05/22/2026

The columbine and wild strawberries make a lovely soft landing below this tree, so caterpillars have a cushioned decent to earth when they’re ready.