June 21 – 27 is National Pollinator Week, but it’s certainly going to take more than a week to show our gratitude to these priceless creatures. And who’s in a better position to benefit from safeguarding pollinators than agricultural producers, forest landowners, and beekeepers? No single issue can be blamed for the pollinator decline. But here are five tips you can include in your daily land management as part of the solution.

  1. Diversify and beautify your land: Offer your land as an oasis for pollinators by planting a diverse mix of flowering plants that sustain and enhance pollinators. This way, you can assist the production of healthy fruits and vegetables to improve your bottom line.
  2. Protect nesting sites: Protect flowering plants and potential pollinator nesting sites, such as areas of undisturbed ground and native vegetation.
  3. Carefully use chemicals: Pollinators can be sensitive to chemicals. So, try a natural, pollinator-friendly alternative on your land. Or when using pesticides, herbicides, or insecticides, please do so carefully.
  4. Support Bee Better Certified producers: Become a Bee Better Certified producer or buy produce from farms that support bees. Products that are Bee Better Certified are grown on farms that use pollinator-friendly conservation practices.
  5. Buzz on: Spread the word about these tips and the conservation programs available to help you and your neighbors implement pollinator-friendly practices on your land.

For more information about pollinators and what you can do to help, please contact your local USDA service center.