Green Daily

Ed explained two important facts. Without bees for pollination, you simply don't have blueberries, or several other industrial crops, like almonds, cucumbers or apples. And native pollinators have declined to the point where the only option is to "rent" bees from beekeepers during the pollination season, while the flowers are in bloom.

During National Pollinator Week, different experts are helping people learn about native pollinators, which include indigenous bees, bats, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Professor Rachel Winfree of the department of Entomology at Rutgers University is the queen of native pollinator researchers. She's been studying our local flower flitters since 2006.

Her results -- which are actually filled with hope for the resurgence of native pollinators -- were recently published in "Ecology Letters." The National Wildlife Federation has a great article about Winfree, her findings, and reactions to the project.

If you're wondering what you can do help support these flying friends in your backyard, check out Rodale's extensive list of ways to make your garden hospitable to pollinators. From skipping chemical fertilizers, to supporting organic farmers and even (gasp!) giving up your mosquito zapper, the ideas are easy to implement, and some of them might even save you some money!