June has officially arrived, which means it is National Pollinator Month! Around the state, you’ll hear a lot of talk about “saving the bees” and “planting meadows”. But here in Lee County, we have a unique advantage that most places don’t.

Geographically, our county sits right on the fall line where the Piedmont, the Sandhills, and the Coastal Plain all collide. Combined with the cool river bluff microclimates along the Deep River and areas mimicking Raven Rock, Lee County is an absolute ecological crossroads.

Because we aren't a monolith, our yards shouldn't be either. This June, the Lee County Cooperative Extension is inviting you to "Connect the Plots" and help us build a county-wide Pollinator Pathway. No matter what kind of soil or shade you have, your property can serve as a vital bridge connecting different North Carolina ecosystems.

The Goal: Get the Sign!

You don’t need to fill out complicated paperwork with us to join the movement. Our goal this month is to help you "connect your plot" and earn a established badge of honor for your yard. Here are some certifications you can apply for to demonstrate your garden is for the pollinators:

1. The Butterfly Highway (NC Wildlife Federation): This is our “local” state-level certification! This statewide initiative focuses on creating roadside and backyard pit stops for butterflies and bees.
2. NC Native Plant Habitat (NC Native Plant Society): Another local certification! This focuses on the importance of native plants in the landscape and emphasizes the use of these in the garden.
3. Certified Wildlife Habitat (National Wildlife Federation): A fantastic option for residential yards that provide food, water, cover, and a place for wildlife to raise their young. This is the national version of “The Butterfly Highway” program.
4. Bring Back the Pollinators Pledge (Xerces Society): A simple, honor-system pledge focused on reducing pesticides and planting native flowers.
5. HNP Biodiversity Map (Homegrown National Park): This is a simple “register on the map” program to publicly acknowledge the intentionality of your landscape as a place for nature.
6. Certified Native Habitat Program (Wild Ones): This is a national organization focused on “promoting native landscapes through education, advocacy, and collaborative action”. Their certification is similar to our NC Native Plant Society’s.

The Science of the Sign: Why Certification Matters

You might wonder: Does hanging a plastic or aluminum sign in my yard actually help the bees, or is it just for bragging rights? As an Extension agent, I love this question because university research has looked into this exact topic. Studies in human behavior and urban ecology show that certifying your landscape provides measurable, research-based benefits for both your neighborhood and the environment:

Social science research shows that conservation is contagious. When a homeowner leaves a section of their yard wild, neighbors might view it as neglected. However, the moment a certification sign goes up, it flips a switch in people’s minds. The sign signals intentionality. It tells your neighbors that the taller grass or dense native plantings are a purposeful "pollinator grocery store." Studies show that seeing a certification sign makes neighbors significantly more likely to adopt native planting practices in their own yards.

Ecological studies evaluating properties certified by programs like the National Wildlife Federation have found that these yards host a significantly higher abundance and diversity of native bees, butterflies, and insect-eating birds compared to conventional, turf-heavy lawns. By intentionally providing the four pillars of habitat—food, water, cover, and nesting sites—you are creating a functioning mini-ecosystem.

Research indicates that communities with visible wildlife certifications see a localized reduction in broadcast pesticide use. When homeowners commit to a certification pledge, they become more mindful scouts, shifting away from blanket chemical sprays and toward targeted, low-impact management solutions.

In short, that little sign isn't just decoration. It is a powerful educational tool that changes local mindsets, shifts neighborhood norms, and protects the unique ecosystems of Lee County.

Planting for Your Pocket

To make this actionable, we are breaking June down by Lee County's unique geography. You don't need a massive, full-sun meadow to participate—you just need to plant for your specific soil.

The Sandhills & Coastal Pockets (The Dry Pathway)

• Your Soil: If you live in a part of the county where the soil looks like a sandbox and rainwater disappears instantly, this is your zone.
• Your Powerhouse Plants: Asclepias tuberosa (Butterflyweed), Liatris (Blazing Star), and native Wild Indigo (Baptisia).
• Take Action: Focus on plants with deep taproots that thrive in sharp drainage and intense summer heat.

The Piedmont Clay & Bottomlands (The Heavy-Lifters)

• Your Soil: This is for our classic, moisture-retaining, dense North Carolina red clay.
• Your Powerhouse Plants: Symphyotrichum (Native Asters), Solidago (Goldenrods), Eupatorium (Joe-Pye Weed), and Monarda (Beebalm).
• Take Action: Use the tough, aggressive roots of these clay-loving natives to naturally break up soil compaction while providing massive nectar buffets for heavy-feeding bumblebees.

The Montane Microclimates (The Shady Bluffs & Ravines)

• Your Soil: If your property mimics our river bluffs—characterized by shade, cooler air pockets, and rich woodland soils—this is for you.
• Your Powerhouse Plants: Heuchera villosa (Alum Root), Chelone glabra (White Turtlehead), native columbine, and foamflower.
• Take Action: Prove that shade can save the bees! Woodland gardens and shaded creeksides serve as critical, cool refuges for forest-dwelling pollinators during the scorching summer months.

Let’s Grow Together

By utilizing your yard's natural ecosystem—whether it's Sandhills sand, Piedmont clay, or a shady river bluff—you are doing more than just planting flowers. You are helping weave the ecological fabric of Lee County back together. Stop by the Extension Office this month, grab some advice, pick up your soil test boxes, and let's turn our backyard weeds into a beautiful, certified highway for our local pollinators.

Get in Touch!

Amanda Bratcher is the horticulture agent with N.C. Cooperative Extension—Lee County Center. You can reach out to the office at 919-775-5624 for technical assistance with pollinator plants, home orchards, or any other garden and land questions! Visit our website's events page at to register for our upcoming summer programs.

Resources:

Find the Perfect Plant for Your Yard on the NCSU Plant Toolbox https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/find_a_plant/

Some Research about Yard Certifications:

Burghardt, K. T., Tallamy, D. W., & Shriver, W. G. (2009). Impact of native plants on bird and butterfly biodiversity in suburban landscapes. Conservation Biology, 23(1), 219-224.

Goddard, M. A., Dougill, A. J., & Benton, T. G. (2013). Why scaling up wildlife-friendly gardening requires a pan-neighborhood approach. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 28(5), 256-263.

Narango, D. L., Tallamy, D. W., & Marra, P. P. (2018). Nonnative plants reduce population growth of an insectivorous bird. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 115(45), 11549-11554.

Nassauer, J. I., Wang, Z., & Dayrell, E. (2009). What will neighbors think? Cultural norms and ecological design. Landscape and Urban Planning, 92(3-4), 282-292.

Nassauer, J. I. (1995). Messy Ecosystems, Orderly Frames. Landscape Journal, 14(2), 161–169.