The Waukegan Park District, the Waukegan Parks Foundation, and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) are partnering to raise public awareness of the importance of pollinators with the Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz on Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 10am to 12pm at Pollinator Park. Organized by the NRPA and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation, the Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz will provide an outlet for families to enjoy a safe and educational experience in the outdoors during the pandemic. 

During the Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz, individuals will use iNaturalist, a free app, to create a snapshot of the variety of wildlife that can be found in Pollinator Park by taking photos of plants, insects, and animals. The photos submitted by participants will showcase what wildlife is present in the park and provide the community with more information about local pollinators, which are essential to the ecosystem. 

Other activities, including a children’s nature craft, will be available. The Waukegan Park District is encouraging the community to plant milkweed and other pollinator-friendly plants at their homes to support pollinator populations.

Pollinators are a vital component of our ecosystem and an essential link to the world’s food supply. According to the White House’s Pollinators Health Task Force, during the last thirty years, the United States has seen a steady decline of pollinators, such as bees, bats and butterflies, at an alarming rate of thirty percent (30%) annually, making it vital to take action on pollinator protection. A recent NRPA poll found that nearly all adults in the United States agree that promoting pollinator health should be a conservation priority across the country. Promoting pollinator health includes protecting against the decline and death of pollinators, such as bees and other insects, and increasing their habitat. 

Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz is aimed at positioning local parks as national leaders in advancing pollinator health and native habitat.