Curiosity Weekly — “Your Garden Is Not an Island: How to Protect Pollinators”

Podcast: Curiosity Weekly
Host: Dr. Samantha Yammine
Guest: Dr. Harland Patch, Assistant Research Professor, Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences
Air Date: October 22, 2025

Overview

This episode of Curiosity Weekly explores the critical role of pollinators in our ecosystems and food supply, the threats they face, and evidence-based strategies for supporting their recovery. Host Dr. Samantha Yammine speaks with entomologist Dr. Harland Patch about rewilding, urban gardening, biodiversity, and the nuances of pollinator-friendly action—from city balconies to sprawling wildlands. The episode also touches briefly on the ethics of CRISPR in animals and closes with a science rundown on Lyme disease.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Genetically Edited Horses: Brief Intro to CRISPR Controversy [01:53–05:31]

• Topic:
  Before diving into insects, Dr. Yammine briefly explores the creation of genetically edited polo horses in Argentina, made via CRISPR technology for enhanced speed and performance.
• Concerns & Ethics:
  • “These horses are also clones of a prize winning horse, making them extra interesting when it comes to considering the ethics and future use of these types of technologies.” (Dr. Yammine, 02:43)
  • “If these changes made to animals are heritable, there could be huge effects on wild populations and maybe even the humans who might eat them.” (Dr. Yammine, 04:33)
• Broader Implication:
  Introduction of gene editing sparks questions about fairness in sports, biodiversity, and the unforeseen long-term impacts of altered genetics in animals.

2. Introduction to Pollinator Crisis [07:34–08:17]

• Magnitude of Issue:
  “About a third of the world's food relies on insects that are pollinators, making their downturn a major threat to our ecosystems and global food supply.” (Dr. Yammine, 07:36)
• Framing the Conversation:
  Many focus on “save the bees,” but pollinator loss is broader—affected by habitat destruction, pesticides, biodiversity loss, and climate change.
• Expert Introduction:
  Dr. Harland Patch is welcomed to clarify misconceptions and share the science behind pollinator recovery.

3. Rewilding vs. Traditional Conservation for Pollinators [08:18–10:36]

• Definitions:
  • Rewilding: Reintroducing species to depleted areas and letting nature run its course, often with minimal human management (usually applied more to mammals).
  • Traditional Conservation: Building managed habitats like bee gardens or installing physical nesting structures.
• Dr. Patch’s Perspective:
  • “If you just plant flowering plants and walk away, those areas will get invaded by invasive species… it does take human management and it depends on your goals.” (Dr. Patch, 09:29)
• Key Takeaway:
  Restoration for pollinators isn’t “plant-and-abandon”—active management is critical to maintain diversity and prevent succession by less beneficial species.

4. Habitat Requirements & Urban Context [10:36–13:08]

• Bee Behavior & Needs:
  • “70% of our bees live in the ground.” (Dr. Patch, 10:54)
  • “30%... are wood nesting or stem nesting bees… if you want to have those bees, they need to have nesting sites.” (Dr. Patch, 11:11)
• Urban Environments:
  • “In some places in the world, cities can be more diverse in their bees or their other pollinators than the countryside or the agricultural settings.” (Dr. Patch, 12:09)
  • Cities may offer diverse micro-habitats and fewer pesticides—so urban gardening, with added floral diversity and nesting sites, can significantly support pollinator populations.

5. Measuring Success in Pollinator Support [13:08–13:57]

• Traditional & Modern Monitoring:
  • Classic methods: walking with nets, using color bowls, and traps.
  • Emerging tech: “AI enabled devices that can remotely detect and identify species… can be networked and so we can monitor species that way.” (Dr. Patch, 13:34)

6. Beyond Bees: The Underrated Pollinators [13:57–15:59]

• Flies:
  • “The second most important group of pollinating insects is flies… many of them are quite beautiful. They mimic bees, they go to flowers...and they're really quite wonderful.” (Dr. Patch, 14:19)
• Others:
  • Pollinators include butterflies, beetles, bats, and even lizards in certain regions.
  • “If you care about biodiversity and terrestrial systems on land, you should care about pollinators, because pollinators' interaction with flowering plants is what creates the biodiversity we see around us.” (Dr. Patch, 15:39)

7. Effective Mindset: Focus on Habitat, Not Just Species [16:06–17:24]

• Dual Approach:
  • Protect endangered individual species where necessary but focus on restoring and conserving diverse habitats to broadly support pollinators.
  • “The main thing is just loss of habitat, a decline of flowering plants… we should add more flowering plants just as a rule of thumb… if we can add more native plants because those native plants have co-evolved with the pollinators in their area, it's a pretty easy thing to do.” (Dr. Patch, 16:41)

8. Practical Guidance for Home Gardeners [17:24–19:06]

• How to Start:
  • Research native flowers for your region and plant high diversity (“go a little crazy”) of shapes, colors, and bloom times.
  • “Your garden is not an island. It's the function of the landscape around you and the things that live in it.” (Dr. Patch, 18:59)
• Non-native Plants:
  Okay if they're non-invasive—look for those that offer resources without threatening local ecosystems.

9. Current Research and ‘Golden Age’ of Pollinator Science [19:06–21:18]

• Multidisciplinary Research:
  From genetics and behavior (e.g., olfactory receptors in bees) to landscape ecology, effects of disease and pesticides, and practical management.
• Challenges:
  Choosing cost-effective, regionally appropriate mixes of plants. “If we don’t get the management right, it all falls apart.” (Dr. Patch, 21:11)

10. Trendy Tactics & Lawns: The ‘Chaos Gardening’ Debate [21:18–23:33]

• Chaos Gardening:
  Scattering mixed seeds in lawns or empty lots can help, but beware—many “weeds” are European imports, not good resources for local pollinators.
  • “If you want to actually help them in your lawn, change it to a very diverse pollinator garden. It’s easier to manage… so you should… plant a flower garden, inspire other people, make it beautiful and support the biodiversity that lives around you.” (Dr. Patch, 22:38)

11. Impacts of Pollinator Decline: Why It Matters [23:47–26:31]

• Food Security:
  • “Our nutrients… come from pollinated plants. All those fruits that you're supposed to eat… they’re very important for a balanced diet. All that stuff is pollinated.” (Dr. Patch, 24:36)
  • Low pollinator numbers = poor yields in fruits and vegetables.
• Ecosystem Health:
  • “Interaction with flowering plants is the fundamental basis of terrestrial ecosystems… all the fruits, all the nuts that all the other things eat… so where you have declines in those, you could have declines in these other species.” (Dr. Patch, 25:12)
  • Biodiversity loss leads to fragile, unbalanced communities and a less beautiful world.

12. Balancing Pollinators and Pests in Gardens [26:57–28:10]

• Pest Concerns:
  Planting flowers can attract unwanted species, but greater biodiversity typically brings more predators too:
  • “People don’t like wasps, but they’re really efficient predators, and they will clean the little caterpillars off your vegetables and other plants… The more diverse your garden is, the more of those you’ll have.” (Dr. Patch, 27:28)
  • High diversity reduces pest build-ups and supports overall resilience.

Memorable Quotes

• Dr. Yammine:

  • “There's no shortage of controversies when it comes to CRISPR technology.” [02:05]
  • “About a third of the world's food relies on insects that are pollinators…” [07:36]

• Dr. Patch:

  • “Rewilding is… letting that go. It contrasts with traditional conservation because there’s little human intervention after that initial point… but for pollinators… it would be something different.” [08:35–09:08]
  • “70% of bees are ground nesting… So you need to have open ground area for those to nest into.” [10:54]
  • “Cities can be more diverse in their bees or their other pollinators than the countryside or the agricultural settings.” [12:09]
  • “The second most important group of pollinating insects is flies. … Many of them are quite beautiful. They mimic bees, they go to flowers…” [14:07–14:19]
  • “Pollinators' interaction with flowering plants is what creates the biodiversity we see around us. It’s the little machinery that makes it all work.” [15:39]
  • “Your garden is not an island. It’s the function of the landscape around you and the things that live in it.” [18:59]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & CRISPR Horses: 01:53–05:31
• Pollinator Background: 07:34–08:17
• Rewilding vs. Conservation: 08:18–10:36
• Habitat & Urban Gardening: 10:36–13:08
• How Researchers Monitor Pollinators: 13:08–13:57
• Beyond Bees (flies, etc.): 13:57–15:59
• Strategy—Habitat vs. Species: 16:06–17:24
• Gardening Guidance: 17:24–19:06
• Current Science, Research Priorities: 19:06–21:18
• Lawns & Chaos Gardening: 21:18–23:33
• Pollinator Decline Impact: 23:47–26:31
• Balancing Pollinators & Pests: 26:57–28:10

Closing Segment: Lyme Disease Overview [30:52–34:07]

• Why So Many Celebrities Have Lyme Disease:
  Lyme is a tricky disease caused by tick bites, often hard to diagnose due to variable symptoms and slow-developing antibodies.
• Climate Change Connection:
  Warmer weather boosts tick populations—case numbers are rising.
• Prevention Tips:
  “Knowing if you're in a high risk area, wearing long pants and long sleeves… and checking for ticks after are a must.” (Dr. Yammine, 33:34)

Final Takeaways

• Active, science-based management (not just “rewilding”) is essential for pollinator recovery, especially in urban and suburban contexts.
• Native plant diversity is foundational—but the solution isn’t one-size-fits-all; match planting to your region and garden context.
• Pollinators aren't just bees: flies and other insects are vital contributors many never notice.
• Healthy pollinator populations underpin human nutrition, ecosystem stability, and the beauty of the natural world.
• Gardeners can have real impact: Research natives, plant a wide variety, skip synthetic pesticides/herbicides, and support local habitats—even in cities.

This episode is rich in hope, practical advice, and a deeper understanding of why “your garden is not an island”—it's a node in the web that sustains us all.