Pollinator Education Initiative
The Pollinator Education Initiative includes a garden planted with native plants to attract butterflies and up to 14 different species of hummingbirds. Hummingbirds and butterflies represent the rich biodiversity of animal pollinators found in Arizona. Some others include bees, wasps, beetles, flies, moths and bats.
$31,000 plus $31,000 in local matching funds.
This area boasts the highest number of hummingbird species of anywhere in the United States.
Summer of Hummers in Arizona
Ramsey Canyon Nature Preserve in Arizona sees more air traffic than Chicago’s O’Hare International—it’s just that the traffic here is all less than five inches long. The native plant gardens and feeders at this Nature Conservancy sanctuary have attracted 14 species of hummingbirds, including the Magnificent, Berylline, and White-eared. Most birders can double or triple their hummer life list without ever moving from one of the preserve’s benches!
The gardens at Ramsey Canyon got a real boost, thanks to Wild Birds Unlimited and its customers. A $31,500 grant through the Pathways To Nature program helped the Conservancy rebuild their gardens and update their education outreach on hummingbirds and other native pollinators. A new boardwalk and deck constructed of recycled milk bottles was also added to make viewing of gardens easier and to minimize impact on the environment.
A visit to this international birding mecca is sure to inspire you to landscape your yard to benefit birds and other wildlife. But if you visit Ramsey Canyon, take time to look beyond the gardens and visitor’s center. This 380 acre preserve is home to more than 400 species of plants and 170 species of birds.
Hike up the canyon, following Ramsey Creek, and you’ll get a glimpse of the natural habitats of the Huachuca Mountains. This area, which is part of the San Pedro River Watershed, is considered by The Nature Conservancy as one of its “Last Great Places.” Bring your binoculars, wear your hiking boots, and keep your head low—those hummers are fast!
For more information on the Ramsey Canyon Preserve, visit: http://nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/arizona/preserves.
The Pathways To Nature Conservation Fund is a partnership between Wild Birds Unlimited stores and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to fund environmental education and wildlife viewing projects. We encourage all of our customers to visit these incredible places. Your patronage helped make these projects possible!
