WLDflora POLLINATOR KIDS CLUB
Introduction Polly, her friends Butter and Aero invite children and families to join the Polly Pollinator Club, where they’ll learn about the importance of pollinators, how to protect them, and how to create environments that help them thrive. Through engaging activities, stories, and partnerships with initiatives like WLDflora Landscapes' Green Hour and the 1EPIKEARTH movement, children can become eco-heroes in their own communities.
polly pollinator
Polly Pollinator: A curious and energetic honeybee who loves to explore gardens and meadows. Polly’s mission is to teach kids about the vital role bees play in pollination and how they help grow the food we eat.
butter BLAZEFLY
Butter Blazefly: A graceful and colorful butterfly with a passion for flowers. Butter loves sharing tips on how to plant pollinator-friendly gardens and the importance of biodiversity.
aero nautica
Aero Nautica is a bold and adventurous dragonfly, known for his love of exploration and protecting nature. Equipped with his trusty compass and a keen sense of direction, he guides Polly and Butter on epic journeys to discover new pollinator habitats.
Kentucky Native Pollinators
Here’s a list of Kentucky native pollinating insects along with brief descriptions. These will work well for your Pollinator Club Kid stories in your newsletter!
Bees
Common Eastern Bumble Bee (Bombus impatiens) – A fuzzy, black-and-yellow bee that is one of the most effective pollinators in Kentucky. It visits many flowers and is active from spring to fall.
Blueberry Digger Bee (Habropoda laboriosa) – A fast-flying, ground-nesting bee that specializes in pollinating early spring flowers, especially blueberries.
Sweat Bees (Agapostemon spp.) – Small, metallic green bees that are attracted to sweat but are vital pollinators of wildflowers and garden plants.
Mason Bees (Osmia spp.) – Solitary bees that use mud to build nests in hollow stems or small holes. They are excellent fruit tree pollinators.
Leafcutter Bees (Megachile spp.) – These bees cut circular pieces from leaves to build their nests. They are key pollinators of summer flowers and vegetables.
Butterflies & Moths
Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) – Famous for its migration, the monarch pollinates milkweed and other wildflowers while traveling between Kentucky and Mexico.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) – A large, yellow-and-black butterfly that loves nectar from native flowers like Joe-Pye weed and ironweed.
Silver-Spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus) – A small, fast-flying butterfly that pollinates clover, thistles, and legumes.
Hummingbird Clearwing Moth (Hemaris thysbe) – A moth that looks like a tiny hummingbird, hovering while drinking nectar from native flowers like bee balm and phlox.
Luna Moth (Actias luna) – Though not a strong pollinator, this beautiful pale-green moth contributes to nighttime pollination of moonflowers and other night-blooming plants.
Beetles & Flies
Goldenrod Soldier Beetle (Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus) – A bright yellow-and-black beetle that helps pollinate goldenrod and other late-summer flowers.
Flower Longhorn Beetle (Typocerus spp.) – These long-horned beetles feed on flower nectar and help pollinate wildflowers like Queen Anne’s lace.
Hover Flies (Syrphidae family) – Often mistaken for bees, these small flies pollinate flowers while feeding on nectar. Their larvae also help control garden pests.
Wasps
Blue-Winged Wasp (Scolia dubia) – A beneficial wasp that pollinates wildflowers while also helping control Japanese beetle populations.
Potter Wasp (Eumenes spp.) – A solitary wasp that pollinates flowers while gathering caterpillars to feed its young.
Southern Indiana Native Pollinators
Bees
Rusty-Patched Bumble Bee (Bombus affinis) – A federally endangered species, once common in the Midwest. It is an excellent pollinator of wildflowers and crops.
Hoary Squash Bee (Peponapis pruinosa) – Specializes in pollinating squash, pumpkins, and gourds, active early in the morning.
Mining Bees (Andrena spp.) – Early spring pollinators that help pollinate trees like maples and redbuds.
Butterflies & Moths
Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele) – A striking orange butterfly that pollinates milkweed, thistles, and coneflowers.
Zebra Swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus) – Indiana’s state butterfly, which relies on pawpaw trees and pollinates various wildflowers.
Snowberry Clearwing Moth (Hemaris diffinis) – Similar to the hummingbird clearwing moth, it hovers over flowers like wild bergamot and phlox.
Beetles & Flies
Tricolored Bumble Bee Mimic Fly (Eristalis transversa) – A harmless hover fly that looks like a bee but is a major pollinator of wildflowers.
Margined Leatherwing Beetle (Chauliognathus marginatus) – A pollinator of goldenrod and other fall wildflowers.
Wasps
Great Black Wasp (Sphex pensylvanicus) – A large wasp that pollinates mountain mint, goldenrod, and milkweed while hunting grasshoppers.
Paper Wasp (Polistes spp.) – Helps pollinate native plants while preying on caterpillars
Club Objectives
Educate children about the role of pollinators in ecosystems.
Encourage hands-on activities like gardening, crafting, and citizen science projects.
Promote sustainable practices through partnerships with WLDflora Landscapes and 1EPIKEARTH.
Inspire children to become environmental stewards by engaging in fun and meaningful activities.
Educational Modules
1. Pollination 101
What is pollination?
Why are bees, butterflies, and other pollinators essential?
Interactive Activity: “Pollinator Puzzle”—match flowers to their pollinators.
2. Meet the Pollinators
Discover the different types of pollinators (bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, bats, etc.).
Fun Facts: Did you know a bee visits 50-100 flowers in one trip?
Interactive Activity: “Who’s That Pollinator?” quiz.
3. Gardening for Pollinators
How to create a pollinator-friendly garden.
Top 10 pollinator plants for your region.
Hands-On Project: Design and plant a mini wildflower garden with Polly and Butter’s guidance.
4. Protecting Pollinators
The impact of pesticides and habitat loss.
Simple ways kids can help: planting, reducing waste, and spreading awareness.
Activity: Build a bee hotel using recycled materials.
5. Citizen Science with 1EPIKEARTH
Participate in global initiatives to monitor pollinator health.
“Green Hour”: Spend an hour observing and documenting pollinators in your garden or local park.
Share findings with the 1EPIKEARTH platform to contribute to real-world research.
Partnerships and Initiatives
WLDflora Landscapes Green Hour: Encourages families to dedicate one hour a week to outdoor activities that support pollinator habitats, such as planting native flowers or removing invasive species.
1EPIKEARTH Movement: A global initiative inspiring eco-consciousness. Its children’s platform offers games, challenges, and educational resources focused on pollinator conservation and climate action.
Creative Corner
Storytime with Polly and Butter: Animated videos and storybooks featuring Polly and Butter’s adventures. Titles include Polly Saves the Meadow and Butter’s Garden Party.
Crafts and Games: “Pollinator Bingo,” DIY butterfly wings, and bee-themed origami.
Songs and Rhymes: Sing along to “Buzz, Buzz, Pollinate!” and “Flutter Through the Flowers.”
Getting Involved
Join the Club: Sign up to receive a welcome kit with a Polly and Butter badge, a seed packet, and a membership card.
Monthly Challenges: Participate in themed activities, such as “Plant It Forward” or “Pollinator Patrol.”
Community Projects: Partner with schools and local organizations to create pollinator habitats.
Conclusion The Polly Pollinator Club is more than an educational program—it’s a movement to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. Together with Polly, Butter, WLDflora Landscapes, and 1EPIKEARTH, children can make a big difference for pollinators and the planet!