The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is emphasizing its efforts to support pollinators during National Pollinator Week, which runs from June 16 to June 22. Since its inception in 2017, the CTDOT Pollinator Program has expanded significantly from eight sites covering roughly 10 acres to now include 154 conservation areas comprising approximately 250 acres.
This expansion includes recent developments at locations such as the Route 44 and Route 202 split in Canton. The program aims to create habitats for pollinating insects like bees and monarch butterflies through strategic seeding operations and vegetation management practices, including reduced mowing schedules. These areas are mowed in the fall to prepare for the next growing season.
“We’re proud of these continued efforts to help pollinators thrive by creating safe habitats for them across Connecticut. Every year, we’re identifying additional conservation areas that we can add to this program,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. “Just as our roads and highways connect people, we’re establishing pollinator corridors to ensure these critical species can travel freely throughout the state and region.”
Pollinators play a crucial role in agriculture, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture noting that they are responsible for pollinating around 80% of food and plant-based products, including nearly all fruits and grains.
Marked with special signage, CTDOT’s pollinator corridors bloom from late June through summer along highway ramps, medians, and roadside shoulders across Connecticut. Motorists are advised not to stop on highways for photos or videos despite their scenic appeal.
For more information about the CTDOT Pollinator Program or National Pollinator Week, visit CTDOT Vegetation Management Guidelines or pollinator.org respectively.
