Meet Our Partners: The Pollinator Partnership
I'm thrilled to announce that, last week, Imagine Plush joined forces with the Pollinator Partnership, the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated solely to protecting and preserving bees and other pollinators through research, conservation and education. Every time someone buys one of our beautiful bee plush, Imagine Plush will donate money to support the Pollinator Partnership's work.
I was lucky enough to spend some time with the Pollinator Partnership's President and CEO, Val Dolcini, in Washington, D.C. this month, and with this blog post, I'm happy to introduce him, and the Partnership, to you.
Q: Can you tell us a little about what the Pollinator Partnership does?
A: We work throughout North America to promote and protect the health of all pollinators. We do this by partnering with government agencies, scientists, private landowners, farmers and ranchers, and all citizens who are interested in our mission.
Q: Why is that important?
A: Pollinators play a critically important role in our world. Not only are they a ‘keystone’ species in the ecosystems where they live and work, which means that their presence is an indicator of a healthy ecosystem, but they are an essential contributor to our local and regional food systems. Pollinators impact one out of every three bites of food we depend on for our diets. In addition, 90% of the world’s flowering plants also depend on pollinators.
Q: What are the biggest threats to bees and pollinators today?
A: The greatest threats to pollinators are loss of pasture (habitat), overuse of pesticides, parasites, pathogens, and the pressures of a changing climate. I call it the five P’s.
Q: When you think about the future of our bees and pollinators, how do you feel? Why?
A: I am hopeful. Millions of citizens throughout North America have gained an important awareness about the things that they can do to support pollinators in their own backyard. But whether it’s the backyard, backroads, or the “back 40,” we all have a role to play when it comes to protecting all pollinators – bees, butterflies, bats, birds, and all other pollinating species.
Q: What do you wish people knew about pollinators?
A: I wish that everyone had a better understanding of how important pollinators are to our lives. We all need to know how essential these hard-working animals are to our existence and to our planet.
Like to know more? Visit the Pollinator Partnership at pollinator.org!
