From bees to butterflies, to bats and other small creatures, the Pacific Northwest is home to a bundle of unique pollinators that each play an important role in our ecosystem. Learn about how you can help support the insects and animals that help our food and flowers grow.

Bees

These black-and-yellow fellows are probably the first thing to come to mind when you think of “pollinator.” However, not only are there more than 600 native bees in Washington state alone, but many of them don’t even look like a “bee!” Most native species are smaller and may not have obvious fur or stripes, while some are metallic or get mistaken as flies. We’ve got bees that nest in rotten wood, the ground— even in abandoned rodent nests! Some of the most common native bee species you’ll see in our area are:

From trees to flowers, wet and dry areas, we have a comprehensive planting guide for your property. Thank you to Peg Ferm Design LLC for providing this list.