Habitat assessment by berrelli@wsps.org

berrelli@wsps.org's picture
Assessment results
Answer givenOur advice
Are there bee nesting blocks?: 
No
Supplement your habitats with nest blocks. Learn how to build them here.
What is the main type of vegetation in the area you are evaluating (park, garden, yard, farm...)?: 
Mix of native and non-native plants
Increase the amount of native plants in your yard.
How much of the whole yard, park, farm or green space is garden space or wild/natural vegetation?: 
Some. Between 21-40%.
Consider expanding your gardens and wild spaces and reducing your lawn.
How much of the garden is planted with flowering annual or perennial plants (including shrubs, vegetables and trees)?: 
Not much (1-25%)
Consider supplementing your garden with some native, pollinator friendly plants and converting some lawn!
Are the flowering plants that you have pollinator friendly?: 
Some (25-50%)
Considering adding more pollinator friendly plants.
Is there fresh, clean water always available with a perch that bees could stand on and drink?: 
No
Consider adding a water element. This can be as simple as a bowl with some rocks thrown in for bees to stand on while drinking.
How many different pollinator counts will your contribute this year?: 
Five or more.
We'd love to see pollinator counts from any of the plants in your garden as many times as you can contribute. Thanks!

Score: 174 (out of a possible 210)

Five groups of my biology students went outside today, May 6th, 2015, between the hours of 12:45 and 2:00 pm; it was a warm, sunny day - between 75 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. They counted pollinators at our Sargent Cherry Trees, whose blossoms are in full bloom right now. These trees had between 100 and 340 blossoms, claculated by my high school students (instructed to count a quarter of the blossoms and multiply by 4). Each of the five groups' data was uploaded shortly after taking the data (15 minute observation periods).
High and low temperatures in West Springfield, MA High78/low47 on 5/6/15.

I hope you find our data helpful. I used this activity during our lesson on population ecology. :) Please contact me via email if I can provide further information or if my students and I can be of assistance in any way.

Ms. Jenifer Berrelli
Biology Teacher
West Springfield High School
425 Piper Rd. West Springfield, MA 01089
berrelli@wsps.org

Which garden or space are you describing?: 
425 Piper Road, West Springfield MA
How large is your yard?: 
72.00
acres
Are there areas with bare ground and very few plants?: 
Yes
Are there areas with sandy loamy soil?: 
Yes
Are there low traffic areas where the soil is not turned over, tilled or plowed?: 
Yes
Are there areas dead wood, brush piles or snags present?: 
Yes
Are there areas with pithy twigs (elderberry, cane fruit, sumac, etc…)?: 
Yes
Do you have native bunchgrasses?: 
Several areas or one large area.
How many flowers in your garden bloom in spring?: 
10 or more
How many flowers in your garden bloom in fall?: 
10 or more
How many flowers in your garden bloom in summer?: 
10 or more
Are flowers planted in clumps?: 
Yes.
How much mulch is on the ground?: 
Some.
Does the garden use herbicides?: 
No.
Are pesticides used in the garden?: 
No