Pollinator preservation takes center stage

Pollinators are responsible for assisting more than 80% of the world’s flowering plants to reproduce, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Without them, humans and wildlife alike wouldn’t have much to see or eat.

Because of this, there has been a resurgence in efforts to preserve and save our pollinators from extinction by creating pollinator habitats and continuing to educate the public on what can be done on even the smallest of scales.

As June 22-28 marks National Pollinator Week, here is a collection of articles to help educate staff and customers at your IGC on what is impacting pollinator populations, what’s being done and what kind of plants they can plant to help combat it:

Pollinator gardens do best with a variety of plants

New research shows pollinators respond better in a habitat that contains trees and shrubs for shelter and a multitude of foraging and reproductive resources.

Pollination habitats popping up along Ohio highways

The Ohio Department of Transportation’s statewide effort to create pollinator habitats has resulted in 120 wildflower fields so far.

Gateway to green

Regional initiatives and their business partners — including garden centers — are helping St. Louis citizens rediscover nature in their neighborhoods.

National Pollinator Garden Network surpasses goal of 1 million registered pollinator gardens

An estimated 8 million people were involved in registering 1,040,000 gardens with the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge.

Scientists use bee buzzes to track bee flight activity

The research team developed an inexpensive acoustic listening system that is able to monitor pollination.

U.S. beekeepers lost four of every 10 managed colonies in 2017-18

Greater mortality rates of colonies this winter pushed the overall rate up, but the No. 1 enemy of honeybees is the varroa mite.