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 

Operation Pollination is supported and promoted by the Midwest Region National Heritage Areas and Large Landscape Initiatives, primarily within the 62 National Heritage Areas.  These NHAs recognize their ability to promote pollinator habitat restoration to their partner organizations, and 35 have already signed on to Operation Pollination. There are more than 130 organizations and individuals who have signed on to Operation Pollination in the St. Croix River Watershed.
“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
In August 2020, Rotary International breathed new life into Operation Pollination by making it a primary focus of their Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG). Thanks to Rotary International, communities around the world have committed to the resolution and made the pledge to protect pollinators.  Read more here. Rotarians pledge to restore the monarch butterfly’s disappearing habitat.

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.

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:

Arabia Mountain

Blackstone River Valley

MotorCities

Muscle Shoals

Northern Plains

Schuylkill River

Silos and Smokestacks

Upper Housatonic

Now it's your turn...

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.