Operation Pollination
Operation Pollination is a global project which calls on organizations and individuals to protect the pollinators by restoring and maintaining pollinator habitat on both public and private lands. Through collaboration and outreach, an interconnected mosaic of pollinator habitat interspersed between public and private land will be developed to support populations of pollinator species throughout a project’s region.
Do you like to eat? Do you like clean air? Do you want a healthy economy? Pollinators are responsible for one out of every three bites of food you eat, 75% of all the flowering plants on Earth rely on pollinators to reproduce, and pollinators have created almost $30 billion in crop production. Despite the global reliance on the bees, wasps, ants, butterflies, moths, beetles, flies, birds and bats who make our lives possible, many pollinators are in steep decline. How can we give back to the pollinators who have given us so much?
Our Operation Pollination Partners
“Protecting and supporting pollinators and their habitat is a very simple thing for organizations to commit to do. In many cases, they are already doing something. In other cases, it doesn’t cost an extra cent to get involved—just some time.”– Christopher Stein, Chief of National Heritage Areas and Large Landscape Initiatives- Midwest Region
Just a year later, District Rotary 5960 signed a joint resolution with North Woods and Waters to support Operation Pollination throughout the St. Croix River Watershed. Learn more about Operation Pollination from our partners at Rotary International.
Left: District Rotary 5960 Governor Ed Marek and Board Members Israel Haas and Bill Neuman of North Woods and Waters signed a joint resolution to support Operation Pollination.
Signed Partnership Protects Pollinators
September 28, 2023 — If pollinators could smile, they’d be smiling today.
On Thursday, several prominent organizations gathered in LaCrosse, Wisconsin to sign the Mississippi River Operation Pollination Partnership, a major collaboration between multiple organizations that have a stake in protecting the Mississippi River’s environment.
To kick off this important signing event, LaCrosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds welcomed the group of 50 pollinator supporters assembled at “The Monarchy” (an environmental meeting place at the home of long-time French Island resident Roz Schnick). As a member of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative, Mayor Reynolds told those assembled how important it was for leaders up and down the River to pledge their support for insect pollinators…responsible for much of the food we eat. The mayor stated that, “If you have the ability to help create pollinator habitat, please do so.”
Past Rotary International President Jennifer Jones signs an Operation Pollination Partnership in Chicago, backed by her District Governors (past, present, and future) from Chicagoland.
Next, a representative of Operation Pollination helped put things in perspective why these groups were there to sign this Partnership. While science tells us that insect pollinators are responsible for the reproductive success of more than 85% of the plants on the planet, in just the past 50 years more than 40% of pollinators on Earth have disappeared. The major groups that signed this Partnership agree that “pollinator loss” is a major environmental concern for our planet’s future health. In turn, these groups support local organizations pledging to take action to help make the world a better place for our children and their children.
The major groups that signed the Mississippi River Operation Pollination Partnership for their respective organizations are: the Mississippi River Parkway Commission, the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative, Rotary International, the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group, National Heritage Areas (along the River), the Pollinator Partnership, Monarch Joint Venture, and Operation Pollination. To help people create appropriate habitat, the Pollinator Partnership will offer free webinars this coming Winter so people are prepared to take action next Spring.
If your organization would like to pledge support for this important riverwide pollinator protection effort, visit esrag.org/pollinators, scroll down to Operation Pollination (click “Learn more”) and sign the Pledge.
Other National Heritage Areas Participating in Operation Pollination
National Heritage Areas nation-wide are participating in Operation Pollination. Here are some of our featured partners:
What Can You Do?
Causes of pollinator decline include habitat loss, a changing environment, pesticides, and parasites. While some of the solutions to pollinator decline require government action, many do not. This is where you can help. Now is the time for you and your organization or business to get involved.
1. Commit to the resolution
- Do something to protect pollinator habitat:
- Grow a pollinator friendly garden wherever you can
- Give seeds to friends, families, and neighbors
- Build bee blocks, bird/bat houses, and other such pollinator promoting structures
- Learn how to reduce pesticide use and other forms of politician which harms pollinators
- Engage in educational conversations about local pollinators
- Give seeds to friends, families, and neighbors
- Promote citizen science opportunities to share research and resources about restoring pollinator habitat
2. Sign the pollinator pledge
By signing the pollinator pledge you are joining a collaborative community of individuals and organizations dedicated to supporting pollinators throughout the watershed.
3. Spread the word
We’re all in this together! Tell others about the resolution and your reasons for signing the pledge. Invite your friends, family, co-workers to support our vulnerable pollinators.
Learn More About Operation Pollination
Watch a Presentation About Operation Pollination
Learn about Resources in the St. Croix watershed
- Pollinator Friendly Alliance is a regional leader in the effort to protect and restore pollinators. PFA is volunteer driven, based in the St. Croix River Valley, and works with communities across Minnesota. Their website has extensive information about their programs, events, webinars, videos, and handouts.
- Minnesota’s Lawns to Legumes program offers technical assistance and grants to homeowners for pollinator habitat restoration and enhancement.
Check Out Project Wingspan
Project Wingspan: Landscape Enhancement for Imperiled Pollinators of the Midwest and Great Lakes Region is a Minnesota and Wisconsin project led by the Pollinator Partnership, an international coalition of communities throughout North America whose goal is to promote the health of pollinators, critical to food and ecosystems, through conservation, education, and research. Through Project Wingspan, you can become a trained seed collector and join a dynamic and fun team that is making a difference on the ground. Or, if applicable, your organization could become a valued seed collection site. Learn more by going to the Project Wingspan website.
In 2020, North Woods and Waters, the St. Croix Master Watershed Stewards, Tropical Wings, and the Pollinator Friendly Alliance joined together to present Project Wingspan to people in the St. Croix River watershed.