Without pollinators, the human race and all of Earth’s terrestrial ecosystems would not survive.
Over 80% of the world’s flowering plants require a pollinator to reproduce. Animals that assist plants in their reproduction as pollinators include species of bats, butterflies, moths, flies, birds, beetles, ants, and bees.
Pollinators are responsible for 1 out of 3 bites of food we take each day, and yet pollinators are at a critical point in their own survival. Many reasons contribute to their recent decline. We know for certain, however, that more nectar and pollen sources provided by more flowering plants and trees will help improve their health and numbers. Increasing the number of pollinator-friendly gardens and landscapes will help revive the health of bees, butterflies, birds, bats and other pollinators across the country.
For more information/resources, check out:
- TED talk “The hidden beauty of pollination” by Louis Schwartzberg
- “The Simple Truth” brochure from the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign