Select your college above or begin researching district library resources below.
This is the most in-depth level of participation in the Maricopa Pollinator Pathway and is ideal for:
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.
COMPREHENSIVE LEVEL 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 two other types of nesting habitat (ex: plant basins, stem cuttings, dead trees or other dead plant material, stacked bricks, stone or block wall with holes) Provide a fresh water source |
| 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 Engage in at least two other cultural practices (see FAQ) |
| Plantings (plants represented in your habitat) |
Have continuous pollen/nectar availability, with 9 or more pollen/nectar species from the plant list (at least 3 blooming per season) Have at least 7 larval host plant species from the plant list including desert/rush milkweed (Asclepias subulata) Include at least 2 species that attract hummingbirds Have plantings or groupings of the same species that will mature to at least 3 feet diameter Strive to have at least 70% of your host and nectar plants from the plant list Provide bird nesting habitat: at least 1 native tree > 6 feet, and/or thorny shrubs that discourage predators (wolfberry, hackberry) |
Apply for certification at this level (links to online form) When applying it will be handy to have the FAQ and plant list available.
Learn how to setup your habitat by watching this recorded workshop
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