Pollinators such as native bees and butterflies have been experiencing a worldwide decline in diversity and numbers. Climate change, modern agricultural practices, development, and habitat degradation are all contributing factors. Recently Gettysburg NMP partnered with Dr. Betty Ferster from Gettysburg College on a pollinator habitat improvement project at five sites in the southern part of the battlefield. Dr. Ferster and her students grew native nectar plants in the Gettysburg College's greenhouse. Nectar plants are a source of food and nutrients to many pollinating insects and are critical for a sustainable and stable pollinator community. Examples of plants grown include butterfly milkweed, swamp milkweed, bee balm and the native field thistle. The park's Natural Resources crew worked with the Gettysburg College crew to install the plants and document the work. In the coming season these five sites will be monitored to track the health and development of the plants, as well as the presence of pollinating insects. If successful it is possible that these sites will be used for the future reintroduction of the rare Regal Fritillary butterfly. This species, once abundant across the Eastern and Mid-Western US, has seen an alarming and steep decline with only one known population remaining in Pennsylvania.
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