We need pollinators…and they need us!

Pollinators play a critical role in our ecosystems and are essential for almost a third of our food production. A healthy abundance and diversity of pollinators not only supports our ecosystems but provides direct benefits for people as well. Globally, up to 75% of all flowering plant species and 35% of all food crops rely on a pollinator for reproduction.

Despite their importance, pollinators are facing serious declines worldwide due to threats such as widespread use of pesticides, climate change, habitat loss and degradation, diseases, and pests. Native bees, arguably our most important pollinators, are among the many pollinators that are struggling. The United States is home to around 4,000 native bee species, and San Diego County is home to an estimated 650 species of native bees of all shapes, colors, and sizes. Alarmingly, at least 23% of all bees in North America are in decline. Furthermore, in Southern California, non-native western honeybees, which were introduced to California fewer than 100 years ago, outnumber the sum of all other pollinators to native plants, limiting the amout of pollen and nectar available to native bees and other pollinators.

How to help pollinators

One of the best ways to support struggling pollinators is to create and restore healthy pollinator habitat.   

Ideally, a pollinator habitat:

• Avoids the use of pesticides, especially neonicotinoids.
• Includes a nearby pollinator-friendly water source
• Provides host plants and flowering plants that are native to our region with a variety of blooming periods to provide pollen and nectar to pollinators as a year-round food souce
• Provides nesting sites to support pollinators throughout their life cycle

To learn more about creating pollinator habitat, click here.

If you would like to make a donation to our pollinator programs, click here.

If you have questions about pollinators or would like to get involved with any of our programs, email us at: pollinators@rcdsandiego.org.

Monarch Butterfly

Western Honey Bee (this species was introduced to California in the 1950's and is not native to the Americas)

Monarch Caterpillar

Marine blue butterfly. Photo courtesy of MC Moazed.

Monarch butterfly (female). Photo courtesy of MC Moazed.

Crotch's Bumblebees (special status species) on woollypod milkweed. Photo courtesy of MC Moazed.

Longhorn bee on sunflower (Helianthus annuus). Photo courtesy of MC Moazed.

Leafcutter bee sign. Photo courtesy of MC Moazed.

Monarch caterpillar on narrowleaf milkweed. Photo courtesy of MC Moazed.

Blue butterfly on San Diego pea. Photo courtesy of MC Moazed.

Sweat bee. Photo courtesy of MC Moazed.

Mournful duskywing butterfly. Photo courtesy of MC Moazed.

Western giant swallowtail caterpillars cleverly camouflage as bird poop. Photo courtesy of MC Moazed.

Leafcutter bee. Photo courtesy of MC Moazed.

Hairy belly bee. Photo courtesy of MC Moazed.