We all want our gardens to make a difference for pollinators, but what does the science actually say about how to help? In this webinar, we move beyond general gardening advice to explore the research that informs best practices for supporting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects right in your own backyard.
Drawing on peer-reviewed studies from researchers across North America and Europe, we will look at why native plants outperform non-natives for insects, how something as simple as leaving the leaves can shift insect populations, what the data shows about the real impacts of pesticides (including those lurking in plants purchased at your local garden center), and how much bee diversity a well-managed garden can actually support. We will also dig into recent findings on butterfly populations in the United States, including the landmark Xerces Society State of the Butterflies report and the research published in the journal Science on which it is based.
This is not a lecture of charts and tables. It is a conversation grounded in evidence, designed to help you garden with confidence and purpose.
Â
June 26, 2026, 3:00 PM EDT / 12:00 PM PDT
About the Presenter
Matthew Shepherd is a conservation advocate with the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, one of the leading organizations in North America dedicated to the protection of invertebrates and their habitats. With decades of experience in pollinator conservation, Matthew brings both scientific rigor and practical wisdom to his work with gardeners, land managers, and conservation professionals. He has contributed to research on pesticide residues in pollinator habitat and mosquito treatment drift, and he is passionate about translating complex science into clear, actionable guidance for anyone who tends a patch of earth.
Â
Watch our past webinars
Science of Soil with Kirsten Kurtz
Growing a Gravel Garden with Jeff Epping – Members Only
Native Alternatives to Non-Native Plants – Members Only
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
Planting in a Post-Wild World: Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscapes
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Featuring gorgeous photography and advice for landscapers, Planting in a Post-Wild World by Thomas Rainer and Claudia West is dedicated to the idea of a new nature—a hybrid of both the wild and the cultivated—that can nourish in our cities and suburbs.
Sunnydaze 14-Inch Round Lava-Finish Ceramic Plant Pot
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Made from ceramic in a vibrant green color, this outdoor plant pot features a one-of-a-kind lava finish. This decorative planter for outdoor plants measures 14″ in diameter (outer top, 8.5″ at bottom) x 11″ H and weighs 23.6 lbs. Its inner measurements are 11.75″ in diameter x 10″ H. The planter has a soil capacity of 3.05 gallons (0.41 cu ft).
Bee Watering Station with Vivid Flower Design
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Thoughtful Combo: You will receive a bee feeder and 30 glass marbles. This thoughtful combo can provide clean water for the bees, you just need to put the marbles into the bee watering station, add water (note: the water level should not exceed the height of the marbles) and hang them in the right place. The round, colored marbles can provide a place for the bees to stand and prevent them from falling into the water, effectively keeping the bees safe. Fine Material: This exquisite bee bath is made of high quality iron material, smooth surface, rust and weather resistant, not easy to fade, sturdy and reliable. Bee cups for garden can well meet the drinking water needs of lovely bees, and it can also provide food for bees, such as sugar water, nectar, etc., attracting more bees to your outdoor area and making your garden full of vitality. Perfect Size: The butterfly watering station has an overall height of 13.4 inches, a bowl diameter of 9.4 inches, and a weight of 0.44 pounds. The bee cup serves the needs of the bees well without plunging them into dangerously deep water or taking up unnecessary space in your garden, and this compact and efficient design makes it a practical addition to any outdoor space. Elegant Design: Our bee watering cups are designed in unique flower shapes with vibrant and realistic colours to attract lovely bees to your garden and patio, bee feeders for outside are not only functional but can also be used as a landscaping element, their vibrant floral patterns enhance the beauty of your garden. Multicolored Decoration: Colorful bee water stations look like flowers in a garden, flower bed or pot and attract bees and butterflies. They can drink or bathe in bee feeders, which are highly decorative and practical.
