The windshield of a car driving along rural New England roads in the 1990s would be covered in dozens of insects. Today, such traces are almost nonexistent. This simple “windshield test,” as researchers call it, clearly illustrates how sharply the population of wild pollinators has declined.
The fate of the rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) is particularly alarming. It was last seen in New England in 1999, and on the East Coast in 2009. Since 2017, the species has been listed as endangered in the United States: its population has declined by 87 percent. The causes are known—pesticides and habitat loss. Without these bumble bees and other wild bees, crop yields for many plants drop significantly.
Researchers at Northeastern University, led by Professor Damon Hall, decided to see if ordinary municipalities could change the situation. Since January 2026, the team has been studying the policies of more than 2500 cities and towns in New England and New York State. They are collecting data on wildflower plantings, reduced mowing of roadsides, the creation of “pollinator pathways,” and even green roofs on municipal buildings.
There are already early examples. Somerville, Massachusetts, has adopted a pollinator action plan: residents are encouraged to plant wildflowers and even use pots on their balconies. In Boston and Bangor, beehives are being placed on the roofs of city buildings, and in Keene, New Hampshire, an inventory of suitable sites is underway. In Maine, residents are being urged to photograph rare bumble bees to help understand where they are still found.
The essence of the approach is simple: instead of perfectly manicured lawns, areas with dandelions, clover, and other nectar-rich plants. Reducing mowing gives flowers time to bloom and provides shelter for insects. Such measures do not require huge budgets, but they change the familiar appearance of urban spaces. They show that even in dense development, it is possible to create conditions for pollinators to thrive.
The project by Hall and his students—Madison Farmer, Madison Oxnard, and Ella Froh—is still in the data collection phase. They are analyzing ordinances, budgets, and city plans, and calling administrations for clarification when necessary. The goal is to understand which solutions work best and how to scale them. If even one species can be saved, it will help other bees and, ultimately, the crops our food supply depends on.
Municipalities that plant wildflowers and mow grass less frequently are directly helping to conserve pollinators and crop yields.
