The Blueprint for Bloom: How One Community Is Reversing the Pollinator Crisis

BROOMFIELD, CO – June 02, 2026 – As entomologists forecast devastating national bee declines of up to 70%, a sprawling new community nestled between Denver and Boulder is writing a different story. Here, the buzz is not one of alarm, but of abundance. Baseline, a 1,100-acre master-planned community, has documented a staggering 500% increase in pollinator populations in just two years, offering a rare and potent counter-narrative to the widespread ecological crisis.

This is not a happy accident. It is the result of a deliberate, data-driven strategy that challenges the age-old assumption that development and environmental health are mutually exclusive. In partnership with the Butterfly Pavilion, a global leader in invertebrate conservation, the community has become a living laboratory, demonstrating that we can build places for people that also rebuild vital ecosystems.

From Fallow Fields to Flourishing Habitat

The numbers are striking. A 2025 monitoring survey revealed 3,805 macropollinators, a dramatic leap from the 587 observed in 2023. The diversity of life has flourished in tandem, with the number of recorded pollinator families growing from 18 in 2024 to 27 last year. To put this in perspective, when the land was still fallow agricultural fields in 2019, initial surveys found only 11 pollinator families. Today, the area is home to newly observed species like longhorn beetles, plasterer bees, digger wasps, and even the broad-tailed hummingbird, one of the region’s few vertebrate pollinators.

Butterfly Pavilion researchers, employing meticulous visual surveys, have tracked this growth. While a notable portion of the increased numbers comes from Western honeybees—a non-native species—the findings remain deeply significant. Experts explain that honeybees often serve as a key indicator species, signaling that an ecosystem has sufficient flowering resources and forage to support life. The simultaneous surge in native insect groups validates this, suggesting a broader improvement in ecosystem function.

“Pollinators respond directly to habitat quality,” said Amy Yarger, Director of Horticulture and Colorado Programs at Butterfly Pavilion. “When diverse flowering resources and nesting areas are available, they return, even in built environments. This demonstrates that conservation can be incorporated into even densely populated areas.”

A New Compact Between Development and Nature

At the heart of this success is a pioneering concept: the “Certified Pollinator District.” Developed by the Butterfly Pavilion in 2019, this framework commits a community to conserving and improving pollinator habitat through every phase of its existence, from initial planning to long-term operations. Baseline is the world's first community to earn this designation, embedding habitat conservation directly into its infrastructure.

This commitment is physically manifest across the landscape. Approximately 170 acres are designated for parks, natural areas, and recreational open space. These are not just manicured green lawns; they are interconnected systems of trails and gardenways supported by native plantings specifically chosen to provide a continuous bloom cycle and nesting habitat for a wide array of species. It is a fundamental rethinking of what community landscaping can and should be.

“Development and environmental health are often seen as opposing forces,” noted Kyle Harris, Senior Vice President of Master-Planned Communities at Baseline. “Baseline shows the opposite. When habitat, water systems and landscaping are designed intentionally, neighborhoods can strengthen local ecosystems. Ecological restoration doesn’t have to happen far from people; it can – and should – happen where we live.” The success has been so compelling that the model is already expanding, with plans to apply the same data-driven approach to transform nearby transportation corridors into supportive habitats.

The Business Case for Biodiversity

For a developer like Realberry, this deep investment in ecological stewardship is also a savvy business strategy. In an era where buyers and businesses are increasingly drawn to authenticity and sustainability, creating a place that is measurably good for the environment becomes a powerful differentiator. The identity of Baseline is now intrinsically linked to its role as a pollinator haven, fostering a unique sense of place and pride among residents who actively share observations of their non-human neighbors.

This approach moves environmentalism from a cost center to a value creator. It enhances the desirability of the community, supports resident well-being, and builds a brand reputation that aligns with the growing demand for corporate responsibility. It reflects a long-term investment strategy focused on creating durable value by pairing economic vitality with thoughtful placemaking. As Harris, who also serves as General Manager for Realberry, states, “environmental stewardship really means something” to the community’s tenants, indicating a clear market demand for this kind of integrated development.

A Replicable Model in a Time of Need

Against the bleak backdrop of a world where one in three bites of food depends on pollinators, Baseline’s success offers more than just local hope; it provides a replicable blueprint. The project proves that with intentionality, collaboration, and scientific rigor, we can actively reverse ecological decline within the very fabric of our cities and suburbs.

The challenges are not insignificant. Long-term success will require ongoing management, resident education to curb pesticide use, and adaptation to the broader pressures of climate change. However, the foundation laid at Baseline—combining dedicated open space, native plantings, and continuous monitoring—is robust and scalable.

This initiative aligns with a growing movement in Colorado, where public support for pro-pollinator policies is strong and state agencies have prioritized the protection of native species. By transforming a development into a thriving ecosystem, Baseline provides a tangible, inspiring example of how institutional innovation and community support can converge to build a more connected and equitable future for all its inhabitants, great and small.