Every June, we take time to celebrate the unsung heroes of our ecosystem: pollinators! That includes bees, butterflies, moths, birds, and even beetles. These tiny but mighty creatures keep our gardens blooming, our food growing, and our world turning.
Pollinator Month is our chance to celebrate the buzz behind the beauty and to recognize the essential role pollinators play in keeping Charlotte vibrant and green. And this year, Landscape Management is fluttering with fun events, activities, and ways for you to get involved.
What is Pollinator Month, Anyway?
Pollinator Month is a national celebration held every June to recognize pollinators’ critical role in the environment. From wildflowers to watermelon, over 75% of flowering plants and one out of every three bites of food we eat rely on pollinators. Without them, our diets would be less colorful, our ecosystems less stable, and our cities a whole lot less vibrant.
Charlotte celebrates pollinators all year round, but we join in on the extra special love in June too.
Charlotte is a Bee City USA
Did you know? Charlotte is officially recognized as a Bee City USA. That means we’ve made a public commitment to pollinator-friendly practices, like reducing pesticide use, planting native species, and educating residents about ways to support pollinators at home.
The Mayor’s Monarch Pledge
We’ve even signed the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge! This is a national initiative where cities commit to protecting the iconic monarch butterfly and its habitat. By signing on, Charlotte has pledged to build pollinator habitat, educate the public, and support conservation projects across the city. Pollinator Month is extra special, but we do this all year round.
Why Pollinators Matter (And How You Can Help Them Thrive)
Pollinators may be small, but their impact is massive. They:
- Help grow fruits, vegetables, and flowers
- Support birds and other wildlife
- Keep ecosystems resilient and biodiverse
- Add beauty and balance to urban environments like ours
Here’s how you can help pollinators right here in Charlotte:
- Plant native: Native flowers and grasses are the best food sources for local pollinators. Bonus: they’re easy to grow and drought-tolerant.
- Skip the pesticides: Many common lawn treatments can harm pollinators. Try organic or integrated pest management instead – both are more sustainable.
- Let things get a little wild: Leave some clover in your lawn, don’t mow everything, and if you have the space, leave the leaves in fall. These little actions go a long way for nesting bees and butterflies.
- Join a community planting event: See our event list below for how to get involved.
Upcoming Events:
Be a Tree Detective – Join Landscape Management’s City Arborist Group for an educational session on common tree issues, prevention techniques, and when to call in a certified arborist.
- Saturday, June 14 | 9:00–11:00 a.m. at Tuckaseegee Arboretum & Gardens
- Register Here
Pollinator Garden Work Days – Volunteers will work with Keep Charlotte Beautiful to maintain pollinator gardens at Charlotte-Mecklenburg school campuses.
- June 16–18, 20 at various CMS school locations
- Register Here
Moth Night with Lenny Lampel – Explore nocturnal pollinators in their natural habitat during this guided nighttime moth observation.
- Monday, June 16 | 8:15–11:30 p.m. at Reedy Creek Park
- Register Here
Balconies in Bloom: Pollinator Gardening for Small Spaces – A hands-on container gardening workshop for residents in apartments or homes with limited space.
- Tuesday, June 17 | 6:00–8:00 p.m. at [Location TBD]
- Register Here
WF Building Light-Up – Charlotte’s Wells Fargo building will glow in pollinator pride.
- Tuesday, June 18
Pollinator Plant Giveaway & Garden Tour – Pick up free native pollinator plants and tour a thriving garden at TAG.
- Saturday, June 21 | 8:00–11:00 a.m. at TAG (Tuckaseegee Arboretum & Gardens)
- Register Here
Pollinator Walk – A guided walk to observe pollinators and native plants up close.
- Saturday, June 21 | 10:00–11:30 a.m. at Urban Arboretum Trail
- Register Here
Pollinator Pop-Up at Circular Saturdays – Stop by our table for pollinator activities, crafts, a bee scavenger hunt, and info on how to make your own pollinator haven at home.
- Saturday, June 28 | 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. at Innovation Barn (outside, weather permitting)
Moth Night Out – Join experts from Charlotte Wildlife Stewards and NCWF for an evening of moth-watching and conversation.
- Monday, July 21 | 8:30–11:00 p.m. at Tuckaseegee Arboretum & Gardens
- Register Here
Pollinator Census & iNaturalist BioBlitz – Help Charlotte track pollinators during this regional biodiversity event.
- Friday, August 22 | TBD
No Garden? No Problem. Get a Free Tree!
Want to support pollinators but don’t know where to start? We’ve got a tree for you!
Trees provide shade, habitat, food sources, and even pollen and nectar for early-season pollinators. And if you don’t have one yet, we’ll plant one for you.
Let’s grow Charlotte’s canopy together — for pollinators, for people, and for the planet.
Canopy Conversations 
Leave a comment