National Pollinator Week is June 20 – 26. Fourteen years ago, the U.S. Senate’s unanimous approval and designation of a week in June as “National Pollinator Week” marked a necessary step toward addressing the urgent issue of declining pollinator populations. Pollinator Week has now grown into an international celebration, promoting the valuable ecosystem services provided by bees, birds, butterflies, bats, beetles, moths, wasps, and flies.
It’s an opportunity to learn more about the importance of pollinators and – brace yourself – imagine a world without bees. Want to amaze your friends? Mention these pollination fast facts. Better yet, make it a point to try these 7 things you can do for pollinators with friends and family.
If you think you’ve been working hard, consider the extreme effort of bumblebees and buzz pollination. It will make you appreciate your tomatoes even more! Some crafty bees even take an early pollination shift, coaxing pollen out of flowers with a technique that we humans cannot replicate.
Bees aren’t the only ones having fun. It also turns out that bats are power pollinators! And don’t forget that pollination goes both ways: flowers have some beautiful tricks for luring pollinators. Learn more about what you can do for National Pollinator Week and beyond at Pollinator Partnership