Warren County commissioners recognize Pollinator Week, honor local conservation groups
WARREN COUNTY, N.J. — The Warren County Board of County Commissioners has proclaimed June 22-28 as Pollinator Week in Warren County and recognized three local organizations for their work supporting pollinator habitats and education.
The proclamation recognized the Warren County Pollinator Protectors, the Warren County 4-H Bug a Boos club and the New Jersey Youth Corps of Phillipsburg for efforts to protect pollinator species and raise public awareness of their importance.
Pollinator Week is an annual observance focused on the health of species such as bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and bats. Pollinators play an essential role in agriculture and ecosystems, helping support crops, forests, grasslands and wildlife habitats.
Before their meeting, commissioners toured the pollinator garden at the Wayne Dumont Jr. Administration Building with representatives of the groups involved in pollinator protection efforts.
Commissioner Jason J. Sarnoski thanked those who worked on the pollinator garden, adding, “Congratulations to all of you and thank you for helping an important part of our ecosystem.”
“We have people of every age group and background tonight,” Commissioner James R. Kern III said. “To me, that shows you how our shared environment impacts everyone, and all of us can do our part to make this corner of the state one of the most special places to live,” Kern said, adding that he hoped the efforts of the groups attending the meeting would serve as an example to inspire others to continue the work.
“Nature is amazing how it all works together, how bees are what keep us going,” especially in an agricultural county like Warren, noted Commissioner Director Lori Ciesla. “We need those bees,” Ciesla said, praising the “amazing work” accomplished by the groups attending the meeting “to protect our environment and make it thrive.”
The Warren County Pollinator Protectors is a volunteer task force of the Warren County Environmental Advisory Committee focused on safeguarding local ecosystems, promoting pollinator health and engaging the community in sustainable conservation practices.
The Bug a Boos, Warren County 4-H’s largest club, maintains beehives and operates the butterfly pavilion at the Warren County Farmers’ Fair. Members also help protect monarch caterpillars from hay fields before mowing and raise them for display before releasing them as butterflies.
The New Jersey Youth Corps of Phillipsburg provides educational and service-learning opportunities for young adults, including environmental projects involving native plants for pollinators and beehive management.
In 2024, Warren County launched the Commissioners’ Conservation Challenge in partnership with the National Wildlife Federation, encouraging residents to create wildlife habitats at homes, schools, businesses, houses of worship, community gardens and parks.
County officials said Warren County became the first county certified as a Community Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation, with help from volunteers including members of the Warren County Pollinator Protectors.
