This week, June 21-27 is National Pollinators Week! It’s a very important week for celebrating the pollinator species like bees, wasps, bats, birds, butterflies, moths, beetles, and other insects. Many of these species have been suffering from population declines, but their impact on agriculture alone is incredible. It’s estimated that just one type of bee, the honeybee, is responsible for over $18 billion dollars in revenue! Pollinators are also important for garden plants, forests, grasses, and most other types of plant life. Without these animals, our world would be a very different place!

Pollinators Week was started in 2007 by the Pollinator Partnership in order to bring attention to the declining populations. It has since become an international event that helps to remind people of the valuable services provided by pollinators to the ecosystem and the agricultural system. So if you are looking for ways to celebrate National Pollinator Week consider hosting a native plant event in your yard or office area, build a bee house for native bees, or share your gardening stories on line. There are also plenty of organizations hosting events, so check out www.pollinator.org or go to social media and put in #pollinatorweek for other ideas.