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 »
Pollinators play a vital role in our world. Not only do 75% of the world’s flowering plants rely on pollinators, but 35% of our food crops require animal pollination (e.g. bees, butterflies and birds) to thrive. In just the US, pollinators contribute $24 billion annually to the economy. Unfortunately, our most prominent pollinators are facing habitat
The Current State of Pollinators Read More »
Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the male part of a plant (the anther) to the female part of the plant (the stigma). This allows for a plant to produce seeds, which in turn grow into seedlings. While this is very similar to animal reproduction in many ways, most plants require some assistance
Wind Pollination Isn’t Enough Read More »
Thirteen years ago, National Pollinator Week was established to help raise awareness for the critical role pollinators play in our environment, as well as the challenges they face. This year’s initiative officially kicks off June 22, though things might look a little different in 2020. Typically, countless events are held in communities across the country. Due to the current outbreak of COVID-19, the festivities are more limited
The Importance of National Pollinator Week Read More »
When people talk about pollinators, most of the attention goes to bees, butterflies, and birds. We actively see these daytime dwellers at work, flying from flower to flower as they help plant life thrive. But with the serious population declines that honeybees, bumblebees, and monarch butterflies have all seen in recent decades, there’s a need for greater pollinator diversity. This is where nighttime pollinators like moths can help. While
Moths: The Underappreciated Pollinators Read More »
The honeybee has long been the US’s main pollinator, contributing over $15 billion to our economy every year. Over the past few decades, however, the honeybee has seen its population cut in half largely due to colony collapse disorder. If things continue at this rate, the honeybee could be extinct by 2035. Unfortunately, counteracting CCD directly has proven to be difficult. Eliminating the use
The Importance of Pollinator Diversity in CRP Read More »
Since being introduced to America in 1622, the honeybee has become our most prominent pollinator. In fact, the honeybee is responsible for $15 billion in US crops per year. But times are changing. Honeybees have seen their numbers sharply decline over the past few decades due to Colony Collapse Disorder. With no clear answers on what causes CCD or how it can be
Promoting Bumblebees as Pollinators Read More »
Establishing pollinator habitat can offer numerous benefits to farmers. Not only do native, pollinator-friendly plants protect soil, but they help pollinators thrive. In turn, these pollinators provide crucial services for local crops and plant life, improving the health of the surrounding environment. By enrolling in the right CRP practice, farmers and landowners can even be paid to establish
Using CRP to Plant Milkweed and Save the Monarch Butterfly Read More »
The monarch butterfly is one of the most recognizable species of insect in the US. It is synonymous with the beauty of nature, gracing posters, book covers, photo galleries, and more. Yet future generations might never see one of these graceful creatures in person. Between 1994 and 2016, the population of monarch butterfly decreased by 80%. Some experts fear it could go extinct in
What’s Causing the Decline of Monarch Butterflies? Read More »
