The efforts to support Utah's native pollinators got a boost with the Utah Conservation Corps accepting a grant from the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food's Utah Pollinator Habitat Program. Not just symbolic, the grant translates into around 300 upland plants. These aren't mere decorations but will be integral to the Corps' Urban Community Farm, a space dedicated to tackling food security by growing and then donating locally sourced produce to those in need, according to USU Today.
Erica Saunders, who coordinates individual placement for the Utah Conservation Corps, shared her appreciation for the program's support with USU Today. “We hope that the addition of native pollinator plants at the Urban Community Farm will serve as an example of restoration in action for our volunteers and community members,” Saunders said. “Attracting more pollinators will also help our farm crops become more productive,” as per USU Today. The idea is clear: more pollinators mean more product.
The Utah Pollinator Habitat Program considers several criteria before handing out plant kits, aiming to enhance habitats for Utah’s native pollinator species. Support for such initiatives finds its roots in legislations such as HB 224 and HB 251, which the Utah State Legislature passed, channeling funds and focus into conservation projects.
