Tappahannock in Essex County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Pollinators

Hutchinson Tract, Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Photographed by Don Morfe, August 16, 2016

1. Pollinators Marker

Inscription. How easy it is to celebrate large spectacular forms of wildlife such as the bald eagle. Yet there are thousands and perhaps millions of vital wildlife species on this refuge, each of which could easily fit in a teaspoon. Among these important “little guys” are pollinators such as native bees and butterflies.

Unexpected Pollinators
According to the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign, some of the pollinators that keep native plants reproducing include hummingbirds, bats, beetles, and certain frogs, toads and salamanders.

Pollination Champions
North America’s roughly 4,000 species of native bees are our most important wild pollinators. Here are just a few of the bee species found in this region.

Why are Pollinators So Vital?
Insect and other animal pollinators are critical to plant reproduction. The pollen they move from flower to flower ensures the development of fruits, seeds, nuts, and other plant parts that wildlife depends on for food. Specifically, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has identified about 370 species of native plants within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The wildlife of

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this region relies on about 60 percent of these native plants for food, shelter, and nesting.

Save a Pollinator
Pollinators need wild habitat for nesting and gathering nectar and pollen. You can help save them for future generation by:
*Planting a variety of native flowering plants that bloom at different times.
*Avoid or limit your use of pesticides.
*Put up a homemade box. Information is available at: www.xerces.org.

Erected by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and National Wildlife Refuge System.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Environment • Horticulture & Forestry.

Location. 37° 56.711′ N, 76° 52.81′ W. Marker is in Tappahannock, Virginia, in Essex County. It is on Tidewater Trail. This marker is on the gravel road within the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 19180 Tidewater Trail, Tappahannock VA 22560, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Middle Peninsula. It is also in the American South,

Photographed by Don Morfe, August 16, 2016

2. Pollinators Marker

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Tidewater,

in the Chesapeake Bay Region,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: National Wildlife System (a few steps from this marker); Hutchinson Tract (within shouting distance of this marker); Rivers of Grass (approx. 0.2 miles away); Toppahanock Indian Village (approx. half a mile away); Bountiful Marshes (approx. 0.6 miles away); William Moore Tidewater Musician (approx. 1.4 miles away); Essex County Court House (approx. 1½ miles away); 1728 Courthouse (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tappahannock.

Sign at the entrance to Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, August 16, 2016

3. Sign at the entrance to Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 365 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 23, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.