Pollinator Habitat Certification

UMass Extension's Pollinator-Friendly Habitat Certification

Pollinators are critical for ecosystem health and food security, but documented declines have raised concerns about habitat loss and fragmentation. 

Research indicates that even small gardens, including those in urban areas, provide important refuge for pollinators in a changing landscape. 

UMass Extension's Pollinator Habitat Certification is designed to acknowledge and inform spaces in Massachusetts that are thoughtfully provisioned and managed. 

Requirements for certification include: 

• Food (floral resources)
• Shelter (nesting substrates)
• Refuge from pesticides
• Management commitments
• Located in Massachusetts*
  • Located in New Hampshire? See UNH Extension's Pollinator Habitat Certification 
  • Located in Maine? See UMaine Extension's Pollinator-Friendly Habitat Certification

For more information on each of these requirements, please see below.

Why get certified?

• Support pollinators and the local ecosystem with a research-supported, well-rounded habitat
• Spread the word about pollinators with passers-by and neighbors
• Indicate to clients or customers that habitat is purposeful and important
• Learn more about habitat design and provisioning through the process

What kind of habitat is the certification designed for?

Certification is designed for a variety of habitats, including home gardens, bump-out gardens, parks, golf courses, business parks, and more. 

There are currently two certification categories:

• The Standard Certification is designed for habitats of all sizes. 

• The Urban Certification is only designed for sites located in an urban area (e.g., Boston, Cambridge, Somerville), and with a property size under 0.10/acre or <4,500sqft.

Certification Requirements (Standard)

Floral Resources

A minimum of 9 different species of native plants* from the qualified native plant list (must include 3 species each for spring, summer, and fall).

• *In this program, native status is defined as native to Massachusetts. Bloom times provided on the plant list can act as a guide, but you are welcome to use personal observations or consult another reliable source to determine bloom season.
• Plants of conservation concern or otherwise restricted plants are not included. The list was created with commercially available plants in mind, in addition to native status.

Nesting Substrate

Habitat must include at least 4 of the following:

• Bare ground (must be permeable ground; not heavily trafficked or compacted soil)
• Dead wood (decaying logs, wood, stumps, etc.)
• Pithy stems (e.g., old raspberry canes)
• Garden cleanup left until spring (e.g., letting leaves sit from fall through spring)
• Bee hotel(s) (MUST be maintained!)
• Rock pile/wall

Habitat must include at least 1 of the following:

• Shallow water dish (e.g., bird bath or similar)
• Water feature (e.g., fountain or artificial pond)
• Natural stream or body of water onsite
• Butterfly puddling habitat (see FAQs below)

Refuge from Pesticides

Within area to be certified there must be:

• A commitment to maintaining a pesticide-free habitat (if decision-making around pesticide applications onsite is impossible, commit to advocacy)
• For the rest of the landscape
  • A commitment to eliminating or reducing pesticide use as much as possible

Management Commitments

Within the area to be certified there must be:

• A commitment to invasive plant removal
• A commitment to minimizing disturbances as much as possible

Certification Requirements (Urban)

*Only available for sites located in an urban area (e.g., Boston, Cambridge, Somerville), and with a property size under 0.10/acre or <4,500sqft

Floral Resources

A minimum 5 different species of native plants* from the qualified native plant list (must include at least 1 species each for spring, summer, and fall).

• *In this program, native status is defined as native to Massachusetts. Bloom times provided on our plant list can act as a guide, but you are welcome to use your own observations or consult another reliable source to determine bloom season.

Nesting Substrate

Habitat must include at least 3 of the following:

• Bare ground (must be permeable ground; not heavily trafficked or compacted soil)
• Dead wood (decaying logs, wood, stumps, etc.)
• Pithy stems (e.g., old raspberry canes)
• Garden cleanup left until spring (e.g., letting leaves sit from fall through spring)
• Bee hotel(s) (MUST be maintained!)
• Rock pile/wall

There is no water requirement for urban certification

Refuge from Pesticides

Within area to be certified there must be:

• A commitment to maintaining a pesticide-free habitat (if decision-making around pesticide applications onsite is impossible, commit to advocacy)
• For the rest of the landscape
  • A commitment to eliminating or reducing pesticide use as much as possible

Management Commitments

Within the area to be certified there must be:

• A commitment to invasive plant removal
• A commitment to minimizing disturbances as much as possible

Frequently Asked Questions

What information will I need to provide in my application? You will need to provide contact information, site information (MA county, site size, pollinator habitat size, site type), floral resources, nesting substrates, and management. You will also need to create a map of the habitat. 

Once I submit my application, how long until I hear back? Applications are reviewed within 6 weeks. 

How do I get a certification sign for the qualified habitat? Once certified, a link will be sent to the email associated with each application with the option to purchase a habitat sign. The cost of the sign includes shipping.

What are the steps to get certified? 

• Review the native plant list and habitat map directions
• Submit an application
• Receive a link to pay via email
• Receive confirmation of certification or feedback within 6 weeks
• If certified, option to purchase a sign

What is butterfly puddling habitat? One "water resource" option listed on the application is butterfly puddling habitat. While puddle insinuates water, butterflies will puddle in a variety of substrates. This includes bird and animal excrement, dry ground (for minerals), carrion, nectar, and water sources. Thus, many areas in a garden may be appropriate puddling habitat, especially in ecological gardens or gardens with naturalized areas.

Helpful Resources 

Invasive plant list from Mass Audubon

GoBotany by Native Plant Trust is helpful to check the native status of plants

List of Endangered Plants available on the Massachusetts government website