–by Frannie Miller
Did you know that June 22 – 28, 2020 is National Pollinator Week. Fun fact is beetles pollinated the first flowers more than 140 million years ago. It is estimated that more than 200,000 animal species serve as pollinators. Insects pollinate our crops and help provide one in every three bites of food. Without them we wouldn’t have chocolate or many other vegetables, fruit such as strawberries, apples or grapes, seeds, and nuts.
What can you do to help make sure the pollinators are around to do their job? Examples may include:
*Create a backyard pollinator garden
*Volunteer to help create a pollinator garden at a local school
*Reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides
*Don’t spray directly on flowers
*Plant pollinator friendly plants such as natives or milkweeds
*Support local bees and beekeepers
*Give bees a nesting place
*Provide a water source for pollinators.
