OUR GOALS
Dr. Nash Turley introduces his project, Lawn to Wildflowers, a community science effort focused on converting lawns to pollinator-friendly wildflower habitat...
FUN AND EASY-TO-USE MOBILE APP AND ONLINE TOOLS TO LEARN ABOUT AND IDENTIFY POLLINATORS.
You’ve heard about the decline in honey bee populations. But there are also over 5200 species of native bees in North America, many of which are also in peril. By learning about these native species, you will be better able to ensure their conservation. This is why we’ve developed an interactive pollinator identification tool which is available on our mobile app.
When you complete the game you unlock the Pollinator Count part of the app. With that, you can go anywhere and collect data on pollinators that will automatically be added to our nation-wide database. With data pouring in from across North America, we will be able to answer questions about where pollinators are thriving and where they are struggling.
TO ENABLE PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY TO CONVERT GRASS LAWNS TO NATIVE WILDFLOWERS.
We’ve made easy-to-follow instructions for lawn-to-wildflower restoration techniques. We also have a wildflower guide to help you find appropriate pollinator-friendly plant species and seed mixes for your area. The standard lawn-to-wildflower plot for this project will be 6 x 6 feet. Why? Research shows that this is large enough to attract native pollinators, while still small enough for many people to manage.
Why Pollinators Need Our Help
Pollinators are essential to the health of our ecosystems and our food supply. While most people are aware of the struggles of the domesticated honey bee, the story of native bees is less often told. North America is home to over 5,200 species of native bees, ranging from tiny sweat bees to robust bumble bees. Many of these species are also in decline due to habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, and disease. Unlike honey bees, which live in large hives, most native bees are solitary, nesting in the ground or in hollow stems. They have specific relationships with native plants, and their survival depends on the availability of those plants throughout the growing season.
Lawns, which cover over 40 million acres in the United States alone, are essentially ecological deserts for pollinators. The uniform grass provides no nectar, pollen, or nesting sites. By converting even a small portion of our lawns to wildflower habitat, we can create stepping stones of resources that help pollinators move across the landscape. This is where Lawn to Wildflowers comes in—we are working to turn the tide, one 6 x 6 foot plot at a time.
How Lawn to Wildflowers Works
Lawn to Wildflowers is a community science project that combines education, habitat restoration, and research. The project has two main components: learning to identify pollinators and creating wildflower habitat. We believe that the best way to protect pollinators is to empower people with knowledge and give them the tools to make a difference in their own yards, schools, and community spaces.
Through our Our Team page, you can learn more about the scientists and educators behind the project. The project is led by Dr. Nash Turley and his team, who are passionate about pollinator conservation and community engagement. The research component relies on data collected by volunteers using our mobile app, which we describe in more detail below.
The process is simple: first, download our free mobile app and play the interactive pollinator identification game. Once you’ve completed the game, you unlock the Pollinator Count feature, which allows you to record pollinator visits to wildflowers anywhere. Then, if you have a lawn area you’d like to convert, follow our step-by-step guidelines to create a pollinator-friendly wildflower plot. You can do both activities in any order, but we recommend starting with the game to familiarize yourself with the insects you’ll be seeing.
Turning Your Lawn into a Wildflower Haven
Converting a section of your lawn to wildflowers may seem intimidating, but with a little planning, it can be straightforward and rewarding. We provide easy-to-follow instructions for different techniques, including sheet mulching, solarization, and simply removing the sod. The key is to start small—our recommended plot size is 6 x 6 feet, which is large enough to attract a variety of pollinators but small enough to be manageable for a busy homeowner or a classroom project.
Here are the basic steps to get started:
- Choose a sunny spot: Most wildflowers thrive in full sun, so select an area that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.
- Remove the existing grass: You can dig up the sod, smother it with cardboard and mulch, or use a sod cutter. Smothering is often the easiest and least labor-intensive method.
- Prepare the soil: Loosen the top few inches of soil and remove any remaining roots or debris. You don’t need to add fertilizer—native wildflowers prefer poor soil.
- Select appropriate seeds or plants: Use our wildflower guide to find species that are native to your region and attractive to pollinators. Choose a mix that provides blooms from spring to fall.
- Plant and water: Sow seeds in the fall or spring according to the species’ needs, or plant nursery-grown starts. Water regularly until established, then let nature take its course.
Remember, a wildflower plot doesn’t have to be perfect. Even a few pollinator-friendly plants can make a difference. As your plot matures, you’ll see an increase in the variety of bees, butterflies, and other insects visiting your yard.
Our Mobile App and Pollinator Identification Tools
One of the biggest barriers to pollinator conservation is that many people can’t tell a honey bee from a native bee, let alone identify the 5,200 species in North America. That’s why we developed an interactive mobile app that makes learning fun and accessible. The app includes a game that teaches you to recognize common pollinator groups, from bumble bees to flower flies, using photos and simple characteristics. As you play, you’ll learn about their life cycles, nesting habits, and the plants they prefer.
Once you’ve completed the game, the Pollinator Count feature becomes available. This tool allows you to collect data on pollinator visits to flowers in any location—your own backyard, a park, or a roadside. The data is automatically uploaded to our national database, contributing to a growing dataset that researchers use to understand pollinator populations across the continent. Every observation, no matter how small, adds to our collective knowledge.
The app is designed for all ages and skill levels. No prior experience is needed, and you don’t have to be an expert to contribute. As you use the app, you’ll become more confident in your identification skills and more aware of the pollinators around you.
The Science Behind the Project
Lawn to Wildflowers is not just an educational initiative; it’s a research project. By collecting data from thousands of volunteers across North America, we can answer important questions about pollinator ecology. For example: Are wildflower plots of a certain size more effective at supporting diverse pollinator communities? How do different planting methods affect pollinator abundance? Which plant species are most attractive to which pollinators in different regions?
The data collected through the Pollinator Count feature will help us map pollinator populations and identify areas where they are thriving or struggling. This information is critical for developing conservation strategies at local, regional, and national levels. We share our findings with the scientific community and with the public through our News page, and we provide updates on our progress.
We also collaborate with schools, community groups, and other organizations to expand the reach of the project. If you’re interested in partnering with us or have questions about the research, please visit our Contact page.
Join the Movement
Every wildflower plot matters. By participating in Lawn to Wildflowers, you are joining a community of people who care about the future of our planet’s pollinators. Whether you have a large yard, a small balcony, or access to a community garden, there is a way for you to get involved. Even if you can’t plant a plot, you can still use our app to learn about pollinators and contribute data from wherever you are.
We invite you to explore our site, download the app, and start your journey. Check out our team to see who’s behind the project, read the latest updates on our news page, and don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or ideas via our contact page. Together, we can turn lawns into thriving habitats and ensure a future for our native pollinators.
Note: Please review our privacy policy for information on how we handle the data collected through the app.