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Maricopa Native Seed Library: Core Level

Core level

 The core level is our intermediate level for participation in the Maricopa Pollinator Pathway and is ideal for:

  • those that have enough space and resources to devote, including additional plantings beyond the contributing level and time for additional gardening practices that benefit pollinators

Read our FAQ to learn more about the habitat guidelines and how to implement them, and watch for much more in the way of educational materials to be added.

 

CORE HABITAT GUIDELINES

COMPONENTS GUIDELINES
Physical conditions in your habitat (abiotic conditions)

Provides at least 4-6 hours of sunlight per day

Only disturb soil if you are planting

Provide a sunny, sparsely planted area of bare ground for nesting habitat

Provide at least one other type of nesting habitat (ex: plant basins, stem cuttings, dead trees or other dead plant material, stacked bricks, stone or block wall with holes)  
Gardening practices you engage in (cultural practices)

Use non-pesticide means for controlling the pests in your garden

Be accepting of plant damage by the target pollinators (caterpillars become butterflies and moths)

Remove invasive species in your landscape

Select at least one other cultural practice that benefits pollinators (see FAQ for more information)
Plantings (what plants are represented in your habitat)

Have continuous pollen/nectar availability with 5 or more pollen/nectar species from the plant list (at least 2 species blooming per season) 

Have at least 3 larval host plants species incl desert/rush milkweed (Asclepias subulata) from the plant list 

Include at least 1 species that attracts hummingbirds 

Strive to have plantings or groupings of the same species that will mature to at least 3 feet diameter

Apply for certification at this level (links to online form) Will be handy to have the FAQ and plant list when applying.  

Learn how to setup your habitat by watching this recorded workshop

Expert panel

These pollinator habitat guidelines were developed by the following expert panel:

 

Natalie Case, Education Programs Developer, Center for Native and Urban Wildlife, Scottsdale Community College

Jennifer Foltz-Sweat, Biology Faculty, Gateway Community College

Adriane Grimaldi, Director of Education, Butterfly Wonderland: A rainforest experience 

Kaitlin Haase, Southwest Pollinator Conservation Specialist, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation

Carrie Lipka, Lab Supervisor, Mesa Community College

Meridith Masoner, Facebook site administrator, Pollinator Gardening in the Southwest

Angela McIntire, Statewide Bat Specialist, Arizona Fish and Game Department

Pam McMillie, Vice President, Phoenix Chapter of the Arizona Native Plant Society

Gail Morris, Coordinator, Southwest Monarch Study

Lisa Rivera, President, Phoenix Chapter of the Arizona Native Plant Society

George Roark, Author of PollinatorWeb.com

Ron Rutowski, President, Central Arizona Butterfly Association

Cathy Wise, Community Science Manager, Audubon Southwest