LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY — Catskill Mountainkeeper announced that it has been awarded a $300,000 grant from the New York Community Trust’s Pollinator Conservation Fund, in partnership with the New York State Attorney General’s office, to implement a groundbreaking two-year project aimed at restoring native pollinator habitats throughout the Catskills region.

This funding will support Mountainkeeper’s new project, which seeks to address the severe decline in pollinator populations by cultivating and distributing native, ecotypic plant species. 

Ecotypic seeds, which are locally sourced and adapted to specific environments, are crucial for supporting pollinator populations. They ensure that plants provide optimal nutrition for pollinators and are more resilient to local conditions, including disease and weather. This, in turn, helps maintain healthy pollinator populations and promotes overall ecosystem biodiversity. Deer overpopulation, pesticide exposure, population growth, invasive species and other factors have decreased the prevalence of native, ecotypic plants.

“One in every three bites of our food depends on wild and domesticated pollination. Pollinators play an important role in maintaining biodiversity and supporting food production systems,” said Arturo Garcia-Costas, the trust’s program director for local, national and international environment, in a news release. “The Trust is proud to make grants to help New Yorkers reverse pollinator population decline.” 

“This generous support from the New York Community Trust allows us to build a sustainable local seed supply chain, restore critical habitat, and empower farmers, growers and communities to protect the Catskills’ biodiversity and climate resilience,” said Ramsay Adams, executive director of Catskill Mountainkeeper.

Mountainkeeper's program will identify native nectar-producing plant species, recruit local farmers to grow and harvest the seeds, and develop educational films and materials on the ecological importance of riparian buffer plants. It will also establish community partnerships to expand native seed access throughout EcoRegion 58—a critical corridor for pollinator species serving New York City and the Northeast.

This initiative aligns with the goals of the New York State Pollinator Protection Plan by enhancing pollinator habitats, engaging the public through education and outreach, and supporting the agricultural economy with new revenue opportunities for local growers. 

“Healthy pollinator populations are essential to our region’s food systems, ecosystems, and climate resilience. This project ensures we not only protect them, but help them thrive,” added Adams.