It’s sometimes hard to believe that Alaska has a summer season when it has freezing cold temperatures for a large portion of the year. But thanks to some of our pollinators, this state can celebrate Alaska Pollinators Week from the 17th through the 23rd.
According to a proclamation from Governor Mike Dunleavy, Pollinator Week provides an opportunity to promote the protection of pollinators, increase the quality and amount of pollinator habitat and forage, and help restore pollinator populations to healthy levels.
Alaska has abundant plant and animal species that contribute to its natural beauty and the health of its ecosystems and industries. Creatures such as bees, birds, butterflies, bats, beetles, and other pollinators provide substantial benefits that are vital for maintaining healthy ecosystems, supporting terrestrial wildlife, and supporting healthy watersheds.
Pollination plays a crucial role in the health of our forests, grasslands, and other biodiverse environments. These environments provide forage, fish and wildlife, timber, water, mineral resources, recreational opportunities, and economic development opportunities for individuals and communities.
Pollinator species are also essential to farmers and ranchers, ensuring the full harvests of the crops that produce much of our Nation’s food supply.
However, pollinator populations have steadily declined since 1950. This decline is suspected to be correlated to diseases, parasites, viruses, loss of habitat, exposure to pesticides, and lack of genetic diversity.
Without natural pollinator populations, it becomes necessary to artificially create or transport pollinators to the environments they are needed. While this may seem like a solution, it places a large amount of stress on the pollinators, as well as the ecosystem. In turn, this can actually further the decrease the pollinators population due to injuries.
That’s why pollinators week is a way to encourage all residents to educate themselves about the important role pollinators play in maintaining healthy ecosystems, celebrate pollinators’ role in our State, and consider keeping bees or planting flowers, trees, and other plants to maintain healthy pollinator populations in the State.