The decline of honey bees and Monarch butterflies over recent years has brought the issue of pollinators to the forefront of roadside management. Pollinators’ importance to Florida agriculture and ecosystems is recognized by FDOT and is included in the Wildflower Program Purpose Statement:

“To develop and implement integrated vegetation management practices on roadsides and other transportation right of way, including reduced mowing, for the benefit of pollinators, while developing and maintaining safe, cost effective and efficient transportation corridors and systems …”

Reduced mowing is encouraged as a means of increasing roadside wildflowers and native grasses that benefit pollinators and other beneficial insects.

FDOT continues to sponsor pollinator and related initiatives, including:

• Evaluating the Importance of Roadside Habitat for Native Insect Pollinators
• Survey of Key Monarch Habitat Areas Along Roadways in Central and North Florida
• Creating Economically and Ecologically Sustainable Pollinator Habitat: A District 2 Demonstration Research Project
• Economic Impact of Ecosystem Services Provided by Ecologically Sustainable Roadside Right of Way Vegetation Management Practice