Why Tennessee Is Working to Support Pollinators Along Its Highways and Byways

Visitors to Tennessee in recent months may have noticed a bit of a “bloom up” at select welcome centers and state parks. These locations have been targeted by the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s Pollinator Habitat Program, a statewide effort to incorporate landscaping elements and plant selections at these areas to support the health and wellbeing of native pollinators. From pollinator fields full of native flowers and demonstration “bee hotels” in welcome center lobbies to model gardens and informative signage, visitors can enjoy a pit stop at locations that also serve as waystations for local and migrating pollinators, who play a crucial role in supporting the state’s agricultural efforts. The Aquarium and TDOT are partnering to support pollinators through these efforts and, closer to home, the newly opened Pollinator Pathway on the Aquarium’s campus in downtown Chattanooga. For more information, visit https://tnpollinators.org/ and https://tnaqua.org/pollinators/