National Pollinator Week: How to protect bees, other pollinators

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — National Pollinator Week runs from June 16 through June 22 this year. The annual event, founded by Pollinator Partnership and first recognized by the U.S. Senate in 2007, aims to celebrate pollinators while spreading awareness on how to best protect them.

Pollinators move pollen from one flower to another for fertilization and reproduction, giving us honey, fruits, vegetables, nuts, oils and more. While bees are the most commonly known pollinator, they are not the only — butterflies, beetles, bats, flies and even certain types of birds also work to pollinate plants.

Despite their vital role in maintaining our ecosystems, agriculture and economy, pollinators currently face several threats to their survival, including climate change, pesticides, habitat loss and invasive species. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the total number of managed honey bee colonies in the country has decreased from 5 million in the 1940s to about 2.66 million today.

Events are taking place across the world in celebration of National Pollinator Week. While there are no happenings scheduled in the Capital Region this year, there are still plenty of ways that you can help to protect local pollinators:

Create pollinator habitats

According to the Pollinator Network at Cornell University, the best way to support pollinators is by creating habitat areas. An easy way to provide shelter is by leaving coarse, woody materials — such as dead wood, downed logs and brush piles — on your property, as many pollinating species need soft dead wood to reproduce.

Additionally, try to limit the use of pesticides and herbicides, minimize outdoor lighting and control invasive plant species in habitat areas. You may also consider mowing less frequently and cutting at the tallest setting to help preserve floral resources and habitat for ground-nesting pollinators.

Plant pollinator-friendly gardens

Those who enjoy gardening can plant native pollinator-friendly species of flowers, berries, trees and other vegetation to promote pollination and provide additional habitat. Ideal plants include dogwood, milkweed, pine, hawthorn, chokeberry and more.

Plant in patches or clusters so that pollinators can easily find the garden and have ample forage. You may also want to include plants that flower in different seasons so that blooms continue from spring through fall.

Avoid tilling, applying too much mulch or using weed cloth in order to leave space for nesting. Additionally, do not use pesticides. You may want to also include a water feature so that pollinators have an easy source of clean water.

Support local bees and beekeepers

Beekeepers help to maintain local honeybee populations. You can show your support by purchasing honey, honeycomb and other products from local beekeepers and honey farms. See below for some honey farm locations in the Capital Region:

• Bee Hollow Farm & Apiary, Schodack Landing — online store, retail locations listed on website
• Bees of the Woods Apiary, Guilderland — online store
• G’s Bees Honey, Clifton Park
• River’s Edge Apiary, Rexford — available directly, or at Vischer Ferry General Store in Rexford and Salon Sixty in Guilderland

Other local farms may also serve as retail locations for locally-produced honey and other beekeeper products.

For more information on National Pollinator Week, pollinators and other conservation methods, visit the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Pollinator Partnership websites.