Throughout the United States and in many other countries throughout the world June 21-27 is being observed as International Pollinator Week. There are thousands of pollinator species in Minnesota, including 400 species of native bees.

Pollinators play a key role in functioning environments. They pollinate plants that can buffer waterways, store carbon and provide habitat for other wildlife. Pollinators also depend on plants to complete the life cycle. Pollinator conservation is necessary in Minnesota because many pollinator species are in decline and play a key role in preserving the ecosystem.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is providing several links dealing with endangered and threatened species and how you can help pollinators. To learn more, click here: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/pollinators/index.html.