Celebrate National Pollinator Week: How You Can Help Pollinators Thrive in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK (June 16, 2025) - Pollinators play a vital role in our ecosystems—and in our daily lives. From the fruits and vegetables we eat to the flowers we admire, pollinators like bees, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, and even some bats help plants reproduce and keep our food supply secure.

But pollinators are in trouble. Habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, and invasive species have all taken a toll on their populations. That’s why National Pollinator Week, celebrated this year from June 17–23, is the perfect time to take action. And it’s easier than you might think—especially when you plant native!

Why Native Plants Matter

Native plants are those that naturally occur in a specific region, like Arkansas. They’ve evolved alongside local pollinators and offer the right nectar, pollen, and shelter these creatures need to survive. By planting native species in your yard, balcony, or community garden, you help rebuild crucial habitat.

Best Native Plants for Arkansas Pollinators

Here are a few beautiful and beneficial native plants to consider:

• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) – A favorite of butterflies and bees, with long-lasting blooms.
• Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) – Bright orange flowers that are essential for monarch butterfly caterpillars.
• Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) – Hardy and cheerful, great for a wide variety of pollinators.
• Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa) – A magnet for hummingbirds and bumble bees.
• Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) – Supports pollinators in late summer and fall when few other plants bloom.
• Blazing Star (Liatris spicata) – Tall, striking blooms that attract butterflies and bees.

When planting, aim for diversity and bloom succession—choose a variety of plants that flower from early spring through late fall so there’s always something in bloom for pollinators to enjoy.

Other Ways to Help Pollinators

🌿 Avoid Pesticides: Especially neonicotinoids, which are harmful to bees and other insects. If you must treat your plants, use targeted, pollinator-safe methods.

🐝 Leave Some Wild Spaces: Let a portion of your yard stay untamed. Brush piles, bare ground, and old stems provide nesting spaces for native bees and other insects.

💧 Provide Water: A shallow dish with stones or marbles for landing makes a perfect watering hole for small pollinators.

🏡 Create a Pollinator Garden Sign: Spread the message by showing your support. Even a simple sign can encourage neighbors to join the movement!

🌼 Shop Local and Native: Support nurseries that carry pesticide-free, native plants. Ask for Arkansas-native species by name.

🐛 Embrace Caterpillars: Butterflies start as leaf-eating caterpillars. If you want more butterflies, welcome all life stages—even if that means a few chewed leaves.

Visit the Zoo and Celebrate with Us!

The Little Rock Zoo is home to pollinator-friendly landscaping and native plants designed to support butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects. This National Pollinator Week, take a stroll through our gardens and see pollinators in action.

All activities are included with regular admission—don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate and learn about the vital pollinators that help our world thrive!

Schedule of Events:

Thursday, June 19, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Awareness Table and Activities in the Citizen Science Center

Saturday, June 21, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Awareness Table and Activities at the Pollinator Garden near the Orangutan viewing window

Sunday, June 22, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Awareness Table and Activities in the Citizen Science Center

Together, we can make Arkansas bloom for pollinators—one yard at a time.

Photos By: Misty Waddle