Plant a pollinator garden

The El Paso Zoo is growing and getting greener!  Earlier this year the Zoo was granted Botanical Garden Status through the American Public Garden Association.  Because of the El Paso Zoo’s dedication to maintaining a collection of plants for the purposes of public education and enjoyment, conservation, and higher learning, this was a natural next step.  The Zoo will continue our dedication not only to the animals in our care, but also the plants and birds, butterflies and bees that visit our zoo every day.

Our mission being focused on education and conservation, we hope to encourage our guests to learn more about wildlife habitats, pollinator gardens, the importance of bees, birds and reptiles in our own backyard and on the planet.  

Another way that the Zoo encourages people in our city to celebrate Earth Day is by planning a pollinator garden.   Pollinators like butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and other animals that pollinate plants need our help.  Pollinators support us, but their future is uncertain. Many are in decline worldwide, largely due to habitat loss, pesticide poisoning, disease, and introduced species.

Fruits and seeds come from flowering plants—but only if the flowers can exchange pollen with others of the same species. Because plants cannot travel, they must rely on wind or animals to move pollen for them. Helping pollinators is easy and fun. You can help pollinators by creating a pollinator habitat at home focusing as much as possible on native plants.

To get started in planning and planting a pollinator garden check out the resource page and video on our education partner website hosted by the Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition.   There you can find links to information on the best native plants to grow at home, where to purchase them and how to make a plan (check out the 9 minute video).

The Importance of Pollinators

80 – 96% of angiosperms require pollinators for reproduction including 1/3 of the food that we eat. Pollinators support and maintain ecosystem services including recreation, climate regulation, erosion control and raw materials production.