National Pollinator Week is celebrating the small creatures that make a big difference

MISSOULA, Mont. – National Pollinator Week is an annual celebration set for June 22 to June 28 to raise awareness and help pollinators that play a crucial role in daily life. 

Montana made its proclamation for Pollinator Week, stating pollinators such as birds and insects are essential partners for farmers and ranchers and the food supply grown with pollination.

National forests and grasslands rely on pollinators for healthy habitats. Wildlife and fish thrive with healthy lands, as do recreationalists that share the lands.

Montana ranked third in the nation for honey production with over 10 million pounds produced. 

Producers are provided with conservation assistance to promote responsible protection and maintenance of pollinators and their habitats as well as working lands and wildlands.

Popular events during Pollinator Week include planting for pollinators, hosting garden tours and workshops to identify bees and butterflies. 

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Simple actions can be taken to help struggling pollinator populations. Montanans can plant native species, reduce unnecessary pesticide use, and let little leaf damage or natural debris such as fallen leaves be for hungry caterpillars.

The Missoula County Department of Ecology and Extension (MCDEE) and the Missoula Butterfly House sponsored an upcoming film event, The Little Things that Run the World, for the National Pollinator Week. Doors open for 7:00 p.m. screening on June 23 at the Roxy.

The Rocky Mountain Gardens will host evening hours. 

The MCDEE encourages community members to learn how to build a bee house or how to use iNaturalist to document pollinators.

More pollinator-friendly tips to help out the small creatures that play a big part in the world can be found in the Pollinator Week website and MCDEE’s blog.