RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) – The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) announced it plans to install 135 new acres of pollinator habitats this year along state-maintained roads. That includes 107 acres of pollinator plantings in Hampton Roads.
This is part of an ongoing commitment to protect the ecosystem provided by pollinators, such as bees, birds, butterflies, bats, beetles, flies, and more.
Since 2014, VDOT’s Wildflower and Pollinator Habitat Program has created naturalized areas for native plants along state-maintained roads and properties that provide habitats to threatened and dwindling pollinator species. The program started with four plots in Northern Virginia.
This year also marks five years since VDOT joined the nationwide Monarch Butterfly Candidate Conversation Agreement with Assurances, which was created to support the monarch butterfly species. VDOT estimates contributing around 8,000 acres of pollinator habitats along VDOT roadways, well above the initial five-year goal of 3,100 acres.
Each spring, VDOT conducts monitoring to document milkweed and nectar flowering species.
“Supporting pollinator conservation is a win-win for VDOT, because the agency can save money and improve efficiencies, and pollinators gain thousands of acres of habitat,” said Chris Swanson, director of VDOT’s Environmental Division. “We value being good stewards of the environment, which is why, throughout the Commonwealth, we’re working to provide safe habitats for pollinators to ensure a healthy and sustainable future.”
In addition to providing habitats to pollinator species, roadside vegetation reduces erosion and stormwater runoff, and sediment control.
More flowers and vegetation also beautifies the roadside and saves time and money by reducing how often VDOT needs to mow areas along the roadways.
Governor Glenn Youngkin proclaimed June 17-23 as Virginia Pollinator Week.
You can help fund the Pollinators Habitat Program by purchasing a Wildflower and Protect Pollinators license plate. VDOT has partnered with the Department of Motor Vehicles to offer the special license plates.
