Bee Happy - It's Pollinator Week

M.C. Millman

This week is National Pollinators Week, and the New York Department of Transportation (DOT) is raising awareness of the importance of pollinators in everyday life. 

Bees and butterflies often come to mind when considering pollinators, but other animals like bats, birds, beetles, and other small mammals also contribute to plant pollination. 

"Without the actions of pollinators, agricultural economies, our food supply, and surrounding landscapes would collapse," emphasizes Pollinator Partnership, a nonprofit dedicated exclusively to protecting and promoting pollinators and their ecosystems.

"We planted a lot of areas along the Hurley Rail Trail and throughout the entire region and state to encourage pollinator gardens in all our communities and along the state highway system," says a NY DOT professional. "We planted over 600 different trees, brushes, shrubs, to help the ecosystem."

Pollinators visit flowers to drink nectar or feed off pollen. "The bee comes along and brings the pollen from one flower to another," Zev Oster, owner of Rockland Honey, shares with Rockland Daily. "That's how fruit and vegetables grow."

According to Pollinator Protection, pollinators transport pollen grains as they move around, helping over 180,000 different plant species and over 1,200 crops. The National Wildlife Federation estimates that one out of every three bites of food humans eat is there only because of pollinators. 

Unfortunately, pollinators are dying because their food and homes are disappearing. Monarch butterfly populations have declined by 90% in the last 20 years, and 25% of bumble bee species are seriously declining.

DOT professionals say that you can contribute to helping pollinators by planting bright flowers that attract natural pollinators. It's also helpful to reduce or eliminate pesticide use.

Photo Credit: Zev Oster - Rockland Honey