Support Pollinators

Pollinators like bees, butterflies, & hummingbirds fly from plant to plant in the search for protein-rich pollen or high-energy nectar to eat. As they go, pollen from one plant sticks to their legs, wings, and hairs and they move it to the next flower. This fertilizes the plant, allowing it to reproduce and form seeds, berries, fruits, and other foods that form the foundation of the food chain for other species—including humans.

Bee populations are in decline around the world. In the U.S. some species are now endangered. Their decline has come from habitat destruction, disease, pesticide use, invasive species, & climate change.

Celebrate Bees!

While bees are the most well-known pollinators, butterflies play an important role too. They aren’t as efficient as bees, but they can travel much farther, thus pollinating a larger area. Butterflies find their nectar by being able to see ultraviolet light which makes flower markings very distinct to them.

Celebrate butterflies!

Hummingbirds are amazingly adapted to be pollinators. They have long, skinny bills and tube-like tongues that they use to drink nectar from flowers. They drink nectar to get the energy they need to fuel their high metabolism. Hummingbirds drink up to two times their body weight per day. As they move from plant to plant, they carry pollen and spread it around.

Celebrate hummingbirds!