The Importance of Pollinators in Teravalis
The desert ecosystem is a finely tuned machine. Plants make fruit to help feed animals, and those animals help to spread pollen, which, in turn, creates more plants. Animals within these systems are known as pollinators, and they include birds, bees, bats, and several species of insects. Pollinators like these play a vital role in preserving the beauty of the desert. Without them, we would see far less of the stunning desert plants that the West Valley is known for. For this reason, responsible development is necessary to ensure these pollinators stay undisturbed.
Howard Hughes takes a vested interest in helping maintain the delicate ecosystem our communities reside in. The High Sonoran desert includes several native pollinators, and we’ve worked closely with local stakeholders to reduce impact on the environment through initiatives like wildlife corridors that allow pollinators to thrive undisturbed. Below are some of the local pollinators you’ll find when living in Teravalis.
Bees
A bee pollinating yellow vibrant flowers
Arizona is home to the highest concentration of native bee species in the world. Over 1300 bee species call our state home, including bumble bees, honeybees, mining bees, carpenter bees, and more.
Bees are nearly synonymous with pollinators – and for good reason. They are unique from many other insects, like wasps, because they have natural adaptations that make them excellent for grabbing and transporting pollen. For example, bees have pollen baskets, little pockets attached to their legs that help them store pollen and carry it back to their hive. Bees are also covered in tiny hairs that grab extra pollen whenever they land on desert flowers. As they move from flower to flower, the pollen falls off their hairs and pollinates other plants, helping them to reproduce and thrive.
Butterflies
Two Monarch butterflies on purple wildflowers
Arizona is home to hundreds of different species of butterflies and moths that have adapted to pollinate plant life as well. While not quite as effective at pollinating as bees, butterflies and moths do eat nectar. When they descend for food, pollen sticks to them the same way it does to bees, allowing them to pollinate other plants in the process.
Hummingbirds
Male Anna’s hummingbird hovering feeding on nectar of a pink penstemon parryi flower in Phoenix, Arizona
While many birds eat seeds from plants (which can also lead to pollination), hummingbirds have adapted to make them highly efficient nectar eaters. A hummingbird can flap their wings at a remarkable 50-80 flaps per second, allowing them to hover in the air to grab as much nectar as possible. As they feed, pollen sticks to their feathers, where they can spread pollen to other plants.
Hummingbirds aren’t the only pollinators; the Arizona White-Winged Dove and the state bird, the Cactus Wren, are also effective pollinators.
Desert Bats
A bat in flight approaching a flower with long stamens
Desert bats in Arizona prove that mammals can make great pollinators as well. Our state has the second largest diversity of bats in the United States, with 28 different species of bats, many of which rely on desert plant life for food. When not eating nectar, they also help the ecosystem by keeping the insect population manageable.
Many species of desert agave and cacti rely on bats for pollination as they move from flower to flower for food. The Mexican free-tailed bat is one of the most common species in Arizona and plays a very important part in our ecosystem by eating 50-100% of their body weight in insects every night! These include certain moths that are known to harm native cotton plants throughout the West Valley.
How Teravalis is Helping Pollinators
As committed environmental stewards, Howard Hughes has pledged to relocate all salvageable plants to nurseries in the community, to later be replanted to specific spots within Teravalis. This includes flowering plants like Saguaros, Ironwoods, Palo Verdes, and Ocotillos. By maintaining the native plant life in the community, many pollinators that live in Buckeye can continue to live unaffected and pollinate other plants, keeping the landscape rich in natural beauty.
Pollinator-Themed Parks in Teravalis
Floreo, our first village at Teravalis, will include specific community parks themed after desert pollinators like bees and butterflies, and the native flora that they keep vibrant. Teravalis will feature two distinct park styles, neighborhood and recreational parks.
A trail system will connect our neighborhood parks which will include several amenities ideal for residents of all ages.
Recreational parks will feature sports facilities, open play turf, practice fields, large playgrounds, shade structures, pavilions, and community pools.
These parks will be strategically placed to ensure every home is within a 10-minute walk of a park or trail, making nature and community life easily accessible to all residents. If you happen to catch a glimpse of any of Buckeye’s many pollinators, make sure to say hi – they’re working hard to make sure our community’s natural resources stay vibrant and full of life.
About Teravalis™
Teravalis is primed to be a 37,000-acre premier master planned community located in the West Valley of the Phoenix metropolitan area, in Buckeye, Arizona. Translating to “land of the valley,” Teravalis is positioned between the White Tank and Belmont Mountain ranges and is committed to embracing the natural High Sonoran Desert beauty. Utilizing innovative technology and sustainable planning, the community will feature unparalleled amenities and wide-open spaces to explore and discover. Teravalis is a community of Howard Hughes, known for its mission to curate vibrant communities that elevate the everyday, creating meaningful moments in great places where people can live their best lives – and thrive for generations to come.