Pollinators are animals like bees, butterflies, moths, wasps, bats, hummingbirds, and beetles. These organisms play a critical role in ecosystems and plant reproduction.

 

Around 180,000 plant species and more than 1200 crops on Earth need pollination to help them produce seeds and fruit.  That means that 1 out of every 3 bites of food you eat is owed to pollinators. These small but mighty animals provide ecosystem services worth over 200 billion dollars globally each year.

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Pollinators are also important members of the food chain, as birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals rely on insects for food.

 

Loss of habitat and forage, climate change, environmental contaminants, and disease have led to an alarming decline in pollinator species, which has severe implications for humans and healthy ecosystems alike. 

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Looking for ways to support pollinators? Transform your backyard into a pollinator haven! To improve pollinator habitat on your land, eliminate pesticide use on your lawn and garden. Plant native flowering plants with various shapes, colors, and peak flowering times to provide food year-round. Finally, apiaries or bee hotels can further serve to provide pollinator habitat.