Wildflower and Pollinator Habitat Program

VDOT's Wildflower and Pollinator Habitat Program helps support natural areas along state-maintained roads and properties through the research, planning, implementation, and evaluation of conservation measures and related best practices. Natural areas along roadsides provide habitats to a variety of pollinator species.

The program began in 2015 when VDOT planted four pollinator waystation plots. These pollinator waystations, filled with pollinator-friendly plants, were highly effective in attracting pollinators. In the following year VDOT has created 20 pollinator habitat sites at VDOT facilities throughout the state.

VDOT implements conservation practices on its lands across the state as part of right of way maintenance projects and new construction. Some of these practices include:

• Seeding and planting to restore or create habitat.
• Brush removal to promote suitable habitat.
• Suitable habitat set-asides or idle lands for one or more growing seasons.
• Conservation mowing to enhance floral resources during migration and breeding.
• Targeted herbicide treatment of undesirable vegetation using herbicide best management practices.

About pollinators

Pollinators contribute to the U.S. economy by keeping fruits, nuts and vegetables fertilized through a process of moving pollen from one flower or plant to another. Only fertilized flowers can make fruit and seeds. Pollinators include:

• Honey and native bees
• Butterflies
• Birds
• Bats
• Flies
• Beetles

Transportation benefits

In addition to providing habitat, the program:

• Reduces mowing so that plants can mature and produce seeds 
• Increases vegetation to stabilize slopes and reduce erosion; deep roots of plants also decrease storm water runoff
• Decreases invasive species to reduce the costs of removing problem vegetation and using herbicides

Contact

State Roadside Program supervisor 
William “Bill” Lewis
bill.lewis@vdot.virginia.gov