How Milkweed and Other Native Plants Provide Crucial Habitat for Monarchs The iconic monarch butterfly, with its striking orange and black wings, is more than just a symbol of natural beauty; it’s a vital pollinator and an indicator of ecosystem health. Unfortunately, monarch populations have seen a dramatic decline over the last several decades due to […]
The Importance of CRP in Supporting Monarch Butterflies Read More »
This week, June 20 through June 26, is National Pollinator Week! To celebrate, we’ve highlighted how you can not only help save pollinators from decline but also reap the benefits of attracting these vital creatures to your land. The importance of pollinators The value of pollinators to our ecosystem cannot be overstated. Almost 80% of
It’s National Pollinator Week! Make the Most of Your Pollinators in 2022 Read More »
It’s no secret that pollinator species across the US are endangered, but the massive and potentially catastrophic consequences of pollinator extinction may not be as well known. Honey bees, native bees, butterflies, moths, wasps, and other insects pollinate over three-fourths of the world’s flowering plants and 35% of the world’s food, making these creatures critical
Can the Conservation Reserve Program Save Your Pollinators? Read More »
The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is well known for its wildlife habitat preservation, but one of the most vital species the program protects is the honey bee. For decades, the honey bee population has been in decline due to disease, pesticides, lack of sufficient nutrients, and reduced natural habitat. Through essential projects such as the
CRP and the Honey Bee Read More »
Congress created CRP in 1985 following increased concern over unacceptably high levels of soil erosion as well as other environmental concerns. The 1985 Farm Bill authorized USDA to enroll up to 45 million acres in CRP. By idling environmentally sensitive lands, the Conservation Reserve Program provides substantial conservation benefits by improving water quality, protecting soil,
5 Conservation Benefits of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Read More »
Our world’s pollinators are in trouble. Honeybees, which are currently responsible for 80% of our crop pollination, have seen their population decline by 60% over the past 70 years. Many other pollinators aren’t faring any better. Some species of bumblebees have lost 96% of their population. Monarch butterflies are on the verge of being declared an endangered species. If something doesn’t change,
Why CRP is Critical to Saving Our Pollinators Read More »
Honeybees have long been the dominant pollinator in North America. Today, roughly 80% of crop pollination is performed by honeybees, with some crops relying almost exclusively on this non-native species. Due the massive decline in honeybees caused by colony collapse disorder, many are looking towards other pollinators to pick up the slack. The question is are other pollinator species as effective as
Promoting Pollinators Besides Honeybees Read More »
This month, we celebrate World Bee Day. While bees are often seen as a nuisance to people, they actually serve a number of important roles. In addition to providing us honey and wax, bees are our leading pollinators. Pollination is critical to our world. Not only do 75% of the world’s flowering plants rely on pollinators, but 35% of our food
Celebrating World Bee Day by Protecting the Bees Read More »
As you’ve likely heard, the world is facing a pollinator crisis. It’s easy to think the current state of pollinators is exaggerated. The truth is that honeybees have decreased by 60% in the past 70 years, certain species of bumblebees have lost as much as 96% of their population, and the monarch butterfly is on the verge of becoming an endangered species. Should
Making Farmland Pollinator Friendly Read More »
As we said in our last post, most of our country’s most prominent pollinators are in dire condition. Honeybees, who are responsible for 80% of US crop pollination, could be extinct by 2035. Though implementing better pollinator diversity could help alleviate this issue, other major pollinators like bumbles and butterflies are on similar trajectories towards endangerment. The question some are starting to ask is what happens if all of our pollinators
The Consequences of Pollinator Decline Read More »
