Numerous national and local projects will get green industry members and gardeners involved in pollinator projects.
Pollinators are essential to ecosystem biodiversity and to produce many food crops that require pollination. Food crops such as apples, pumpkins, cucumbers, almonds and blueberries all require pollination for fruit production. According to the “National Strategy to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators,” honey bee pollination of agriculture contributes a total of $15 million to the economy. Pollinators such as butterflies can serve as an avenue to increasing the public’s interest in the natural world. Whether you are a green industry professional, Master Gardener or a novice gardener, you can get involved in numerous local and national pollinator projects!