Who We Are

The VLSB Pollinator Garden Project at UC Berkeley is a student-driven initiative dedicated to supporting native pollinator populations through habitat restoration, field research, and education. We maintain and enhance the garden to promote campus biodiversity, provide hands-on learning experiences, and contribute to broader conservation efforts. Our work connects ecological research with community stewardship, fostering a healthier environment for pollinators and native plants alike.

What We Do

Restoration work in the garden

Restoration

Our team engages in ecological restoration by removing invasive species and reestablishing native plants within the UC Berkeley Pollinator Garden. These efforts are critical to maintaining biodiversity and fostering resilient habitats for native pollinator populations.

Native plant beds and signage

Preservation

Preservation efforts at the VLSB Pollinator Garden focus on maintaining healthy pollinator habitats through invasive species management, public education, and community engagement. By protecting native plants and promoting ecosystem resilience, the garden supports thriving pollinator populations on campus.

Students learning in the garden

Education

The VLSB Pollinator Garden serves as an educational space that highlights the ecological relationships between native plants and pollinators. It also offers hands-on learning opportunities for students engaged in research and conservation projects.

Student conducting field observations

Research

We conduct field-based research to monitor pollinator activity and species diversity within the garden. Our data collection supports ongoing studies in urban ecology and informs best practices for pollinator conservation on campus.

Recent highlights at the garden!

Student photographing a native plant

We're on Instagram! – May 2025

You can now follow the garden’s journey on Instagram! We’ll be sharing native plant spotlights, pollinator sightings, and behind-the-scenes looks at our garden work. Follow @vlsbpollinatorgarden to learn more and connect with our growing community.

Close-up of a flowering native plant

Expanding Our Habitat: New Native Plant Installations – April 2025

As part of our ongoing efforts to support pollinator diversity, the garden has been expanded with several ecologically valuable native species. Featured additions include Matilija poppy, California fuchsia, California buckwheat, showy milkweed, and California poppy—plants selected for their extended bloom periods and high pollinator value. These enhancements contribute to habitat resilience and improve floral availability across seasons, complementing active student-led pollinator observation and data collection.

Wasp visiting flowering currant

Hands-On Pollinator Training with Postdocs – March 2025

We recently partnered with postdoctoral researchers Nina Sokolov and Signe White to enhance training in pollinator observation techniques. Through hands-on sessions, students gained skills in identifying bees, moths, and butterflies, contributing to the development of survey methods and expanding ecological knowledge within the garden project.

Students presenting garden outreach materials

Project Team Launches to Boost Garden Outreach – January 2025

To expand educational and outreach efforts, the VLSB Pollinator Garden Project created a new Project Team. This group focuses on developing plant and pollinator descriptions for signage and website content, as well as contributing to presentations and documentation for the TGIF grant. The addition of the Project Team strengthens the garden's capacity to engage the campus community and promote pollinator conservation through accessible educational materials.

Interested in Joining?

Become a member of the garden!

The Pollinator Garden project is open to all UC Berkeley students!

First weeding day in October 2023

We're always excited to welcome new students to the Pollinator Garden Project! If you're passionate about sustainability, curious about native ecosystems, or just love being outdoors, this is a great way to dive in. Through the Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program (URAP), you can join our team and gain hands-on experience in ecological restoration, pollinator observation, and community education. Spots open at the start of each semester — just search for “Pollinator Garden” (look for Professor Cynthia Looy under Integrative Biology) in the URAP listings and apply to be part of the buzz! For more URAP information, check out the link.

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