Mission of the Project
By thinking globally, and acting locally, we commit to working together as a community to conserve our native pollinators through planting an abundance and diversity of native plants, providing nesting sites, applying conscientious management of planted and natural areas, and a County-wide commitment to reduce the use of pesticides.
We were thrilled by the incredible response to the Backyard Pollinator Garden Project! Thank you to everyone who applied. Due to the overwhelming interest, we’ve closed the applications for this year. Plants will be awarded based on the connectivity of pollinator resources, meaning we’ll be clustering applicants to distribute plants effectively. We encourage you to chat with your neighbors because collaboration could increase your chances of receiving plants next year. If you aren’t selected to receive plants this year, don’t worry! You’re invited to pick up a wonderful package we have put together for you! You can swing by the Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) aka Los Alamos Nature Center at 2600 Canyon Drive on July 19th from 4-6 PM or July 20th from 9-11 AM to collect your goodies.
Two-tailed Swallowtail Butterfly on native Cleome serrulata, White Rock, NM | Photo by Dana Ecelberger
News & Updates
It’s official! We are a Bee City USA Affiliate as of 2/16/2024! We are one of over 200 affiliates across the United States!
We have chosen the lucky recipients of our first year of the Backyard Pollinator Garden Project. Everyone who applied was sent an email notification. If you did not receive an email, please contact us at: coordinator@beecitylosalamos.org
Find us at the Science Fest at Ashley Pond on July 13th from 10-2. We will be sharing a table with the Seed Library. Stop by and say hi!
This is a list of plants that are native to the Jemez Mountain area that are relatively easy to grow, will do well in Los Alamos and White Rock, and can usually be found in nearby nurseries or as seeds.
We have added a Color Photo Guide and links to websites with more information about each plant.
Pollinator Tracking Project & Pollinator Demonstration Garden
We are excited to partner with PEEC & Los Alamos County Parks & Recreation to transform the open space next to the Senior Center into a Pollinator Demonstration Garden.
For more information, and pictures as this site transforms, CLICK HERE
Email us at coordinator@beecitylosalamos.org to get involved. We appreciate volunteer help and will be looking for help photographing and tracking pollinators next season.
You can sign up to volunteer to weed and/or water at volunteerlosalamos.org
Backyard Pollinator Garden Project Information
Inspired by Xerces Santa Fe, we are hosting our own Backyard Pollinator Garden Project.
Due to an overwhelming response, we have closed the application for this year. Applicants will be notified by June 30th, whether or not they are selected.
CLICK HERE for more details
Xerces is a treasure trove of information. Here you will find lots of Xerces resources plus scientific papers and other interesting links to expand your knowledge & understanding of pollinators, why they matter, & how you can help to support them.
Click HERE to access the Resource Page.
Check here each month for new blog posts by staff and guest writers about pollinators, native plants, gardening in the high desert and much more.
Click HERE to go to the Blog
Educational & Youth Resources
Xerces hosts a youth program called X-Kids. Click here to find out how to get your youth involved: https://xerces.org/xkids and for great educational resources: https://www.xerces.org/education
Also, be sure to sign up for PEEC’s mailing list so you can receive updates on local activities for children, families and everyone in between @ https://peecnature.org/
PEEC’s Citizen Science project starts on April 20th, 2024. You can participate in gathering data on native pollinators and the plants they frequent.
Click HERE for more information about the PEEC Citizen Science Project
Our Committee meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 4-5 pm at the Pajarito Environmental Education Center located at 2600 Canyon Road, Los Alamos, NM 87544.
Sign up for our mailing list to receive our monthly newsletter or email us at: coordinator@beecitylosalamos.org
Click HERE for more information on the BCLA Committee Structure & Members
Pajarito Environmental Education Center aka Los Alamos Nature Center
An incredible local resource, PEEC is our host organization and a great place to watch pollinators and birds in action, learn more about the local ecology, take wildflower hikes, learn about our wildlife and more!
Go to PEEC’s home page to navigate through all of the programs & resources available: https://peecnature.org/
Los Alamos County Parks & Recreation | Integrated Pest Management Plan
The County of Los Alamos (Parks & Recreation Department) & Pajarito Environmental Education Center (our host organization) are our primary partners. Stay tuned for some exciting pollinator projects on County land that we are undertaking in partnership with L.A. Parks & Recreation and PEEC!
You can find out more about Los Alamos County Parks & Recreation & the updated Integrated Pest Management Plan by clicking HERE.
Los Alamos Community Seed Library & Northern New Mexico Gardeners
Los Alamos County is fortunate to have not one but THREE seed libraries: the Mesa Community Library; the White Rock Library; and PEEC. All three offer locally saved & donated seeds of vegetables, herbs, native plants & more! They also welcome volunteers to donate and to help process & package seeds. Here is the link to their Facebook page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/groups/741830773546650
There is also a Northern NM Gardeners group that has lots of great information about growing in our short, high desert climate. Here is the link to their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/601402053284505
If you don’t use Facebook, you can email the seed library for more information at: lacomseedlib+subscribe@googlegroups.com
Los Alamos Master Gardeners is a group of expert gardeners who have gone through the NMSU Master Gardener training. You can turn to them for questions about gardening in our high desert climate. Here is a link to their webpage: https://www.lamgonline.org/
Santa Fe Master Gardeners has a robust Pollinator garden program with lots of helpful information & plant lists. Here is the link to their project listings: https://www.sfemg.org/projects
If you are interested in becoming a Master Gardener, you can find out more about the program through the Los Alamos Extension Office here: https://losalamosextension.nmsu.edu/gardeners/mgc.html
Photos on this page taken by Dana Ecelberger in White Rock and East Fork Jemez, NM 2023