Why Pollinators Matter for a Healthy Prairie

Shane & Ibby Bridwell
Jun 17
3 min read

Updated: Jul 29

Pollinators are the unsung heroes of the prairie. Without them, native plants wouldn’t bloom, grasses wouldn’t seed, and soil wouldn’t stay rooted. Ultimately, this would have dire consequences for wildlife, including bison.

Over 75% of flowering plants depend on pollinators. This includes key prairie species like coneflowers, prairie clover, goldenrod, and milkweed. These plants nourish the soil, provide food for wildlife, and sustain our bison.

In Kansas, there are over 400 species of native bees alone (Kansas Biological Survey, 2023). If we add butterflies and moths to the mix, we have a pollination powerhouse keeping the prairie vibrant and alive.

Why Should You Care About Pollinators?

Pollinators aren’t just important for the environment; they directly impact your food. Imagine a world without pollinators. Without them, there would be no wildflowers, which would lead to unhealthy soil. No soil means no grass for grazing animals, and without grass, even the bison would suffer.

Here's what pollinators truly offer:

Increase Plant Diversity: They help a variety of plants thrive.
Improve Soil Retention and Water Infiltration: Healthy ecosystems rely on diverse plant life.
Create Habitat for Wildlife: Birds, butterflies, and other animals depend on pollinator-friendly plants.

By supporting pollinators, we strengthen ecosystems, ensure nutrient-rich food, and pave the way for healthier futures.

How We Protect Pollinators

At Bluestem Bison Ranch, we take active steps to protect pollinators. We refrain from using insecticides, herbicides, or fungicides. Such chemicals can harm bees, butterflies, and essential soil microbes. Instead, we let native plants like milkweed, sunflowers, goldenrod, and prairie clover flourish.

We implement controlled burns on select patches of land annually. This practice mimics natural prairie fires, encouraging biodiversity. Different flowers bloom at various times, providing a steady buffet for pollinators throughout the seasons. Research shows that patch-burn grazing can increase native bee populations by up to three times (Nature Conservancy, 2017).

Our bison graze in a rotational manner across meadows. This technique prevents overgrazing, allowing wildflowers and grasses to recover and thrive.

Healthy plants = more blooms = more pollinators.

We also take steps to protect natural nesting habitats for bees and butterflies. This includes maintaining bare soil, fallen logs, and plant stems. Our approach avoids tilling and over-clearing.

🌸 Who Are the Prairie Pollinators?

🐝 Native Bees

Leafcutter Bees: These unique bees are vital for plant health.
Bumble Bees: Species like Bombus huntii are key to pollinating various plants.
Sweat Bees: Often overlooked, yet immensely beneficial, these bees increase pollination rates.

These native bees are solitary flyers, yet their impacts are substantial. Many specialize in pollinating specific types of flowers.

🧘 Monarchs & Butterflies

Monarchs: They thrive on milkweed.
Swallowtails, Painted Ladies, and Hairstreaks: These butterflies add both beauty and function to our landscapes.

They seek nectar while helping to pollinate plants as they travel.

🐛 Moths

Though often overlooked, moths play a crucial role.
Many night-blooming wildflowers depend on moths for reproduction. They are key players in the evening pollination shift.

A Shared Future

Pollinators make life possible. Their work supports the prairie, the bison, and ultimately, us.

At Bluestem Bison Ranch

We do more than just raise bison. We steward an intricate system of life from the tiniest bee to the largest bull. Each cut of meat tells a deeper story woven from bees, blooms, fire, and care within a prairie that remains wild and thriving.