The Power and Promise of Pollinators
From honey bees to butterflies, pollinators play a vital role in sustaining life on Earth. Explore the science, challenges, and opportunities behind protecting these critical species.
Why Pollinators Matter
Sustain 75% of flowering plants
1 in 3 bites of food made possible
Services worth 200 billion dollars
Pollinators are the foundation of all life and systems on Earth. Bees, butterflies, birds, bats and so many more pollinator species sustain nearly 75% of flowering plants and more than 1/3 of our global food production. Every seed, fruit, and bloom connects back to their tireless work of transferring pollen from one flower to another that makes ecosystems thrive.
The services that pollinators provide extend far beyond agriculture. They are vital to biodiversity, public health, economic prosperity, and healthy ecosystems around the world. By enabling plant reproduction, pollinators maintain the diversity that allows forests to stand tall, wetlands to filter water, and grasslands to anchor soil. Their activity underpins the health of the systems that sustain clean air, food, and water for billions of people.
A Major Decline
Worldwide, pollinators from bees to butterflies are in steep decline due to habitat loss, pesticide exposure, climate change, and disease. Honey bees alone face multiple stressors, from Varroa mites to disappearing forage and flowers. These pressures threaten both ecosystems and economies, and protecting pollinators has become one of the most urgent environmental challenges of our time.
Protect, Educate, Inspire
There are many ways to help pollinators as each action, no matter how small, makes a difference. Below are some ways you can make a large impact.
Plant Flowering Species
Incorporate native, pollinator-friendly plants into your spaces. Diverse blooms in every season provide essential forage and habitat for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators.
For more information on NC's native flora, visit the North Carolina Botanical Garden's website or the NC State Gardener's Toolbox.
Avoid Pesticide Use
Limit or eliminate pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic fertilizers. Reducing chemical inputs safeguards pollinators and preserves soil, air, and water quality across interconnected ecosystems.
Create Pollinator Habitat
With small actions, design outdoor areas that provide nesting and shelter for pollinators. Leaving natural materials such as logs, soil, and leaf litter undisturbed supports the full life cycle of local pollinator species. Get involved in planting projects or building bee hotels at home or at your local park! And don't forget -- bats are important pollinators, too! Consider planting night-blooming flowers and hanging a bat box.
Spread Awareness
Promote education and outreach on the importance of pollinators. Sharing knowledge about pollinators builds understanding, sparks action, and inspires others to care for the ecosystems that sustain us all.
Buy Local and Sustainable
Choose products that support the planet by buying local honey and sustainably grown foods. This helps fund ethical beekeeping and pollinator-safe farming practices.
Join Organizations
Join the Carolina Bee Club or local environmental groups to turn awareness into action and make a tangible impact.
Our Commitment at Carolina
At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, our commitment to pollinator health is rooted in collaboration. Across disciplines and departments, UNC students, faculty, and staff are working together to create pollinator-friendly landscapes, educate our campus and community about pollinators, and promote biodiversity across campus.
The Carolina Bee Club serves as a bridge between classroom learning and real-world application, turning ideas into impact. By aligning education, research, and community engagement, Carolina is shaping a future where pollinators, people, and the planet flourish in harmony.
The Bigger Lesson
Pollinators don't just sustain the world; they teach us how to live. Pollinators work not for themselves, but for the collective good, showing that strength grows through unity and shared community. They do not lead by flying above, but by flying alongside each other. They thrive through cooperation, not isolation. They pollinate not for their benefit, but for future generations they will never see. In seemingly mundane insects, we find a mirror of our own humanity. One that drives us to leave the world better than we found it.
