FirstEnergy’s Blossoming Commitment to Powering Pollinators

As the hum of bees and the flutter of butterflies return with the summer sun, FirstEnergy is celebrating National Pollinator Week (June 16-22) through environmental stewardship, one garden at a time.

From utility corridors to office lawns, FirstEnergy is turning everyday spaces into flourishing gardens that support pollinators and connect communities. The native wildflowers and grasses aren’t just pretty; they’re vital lifelines for bees, butterflies, birds and other pollinators.  

Pollinators play a huge role in sustaining ecosystems helping plants reproduce. According to Pollinator Partnership, a nonprofit organization dedicated to pollinator protection and organizer of Pollinator Week, their populations are declining due to the loss of feeding and nesting habitats. 

“Pollinators are key to our ecosystem and food supply,” said Jessica Shaffer, Advanced Scientist at FirstEnergy. “By planting these gardens, we’re enhancing biodiversity and sustainably giving back to our communities.” 

What started as a pilot program to cultivate biodiverse habitats along FirstEnergy’s transmission lines has blossomed into a symbol of the company’s environmental stewardship commitment. Over the past five years, FirstEnergy has planted and restored more than 280 acres of pollinator-friendly landscapes. That’s like turning more than 210 football fields into buzzing, blooming sanctuaries for bees, butterflies and other pollinators – one shovel, one seed at a time. 

The company teams with schools, environmental groups, local leaders and residents to bring these gardens to life. The spaces often serve as outdoor classrooms where students learn about conservation and the power of community.

Watch a video on Youtube to see one pollinator garden recently planted by FirstEnergy volunteers.

“Pollinator Week is a time to celebrate the small creatures that make a big impact,” Shaffer explained. “We’re proud to create spaces where pollinators and communities can thrive.” 

Pollinator gardens are just one of the ways FirstEnergy shows its care for the environment. The company’s environmental programs span initiatives including tree donations, wildlife protection projects, old wooden pole recycling and reuse of power plant byproducts for construction materials. 

“We’re all about reducing our environmental footprint, boosting sustainability and making the surrounding ecosystems healthier and happier,” Shaffer said.

Learn more about FirstEnergy’s environmental and corporate responsibility efforts to build a more sustainable future at fecorporateresponsibility.com.