CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — With Pollinator Week kicking off on Monday, the University of Illinois Extension is encouraging community members to learn about the crucial role pollinators have in our ecosystem and ways to make yards more welcoming for them.

Taking place from June 16-22, Pollinator Week is part of a nationwide effort this year, with the Illinois Extension promoting awareness of how vital these insects are.

Pollinators are essential for the reproduction of numerous plants, including approximately 150 U.S. crops. This accounts for nearly a third of our daily food intake.

Despite their importance to our ecosystems, many pollinator species are in danger due to a loss of food and habitats. The Illinois Extension said that to fight back against pollinator decline, it’s important to learn how to support these species. This includes:

• Growing flowers that bloom from spring to fall
• Reducing or eliminating pesticides
• Limiting fall garden cleanup of fallen leaves and dead plant stems

The Illinois Extension said tips on building your pollinator garden, designing your garden, and more can be found on their website.

“People are looking to know more about pollinators and how to support their populations,” Nicole Flowers-Kimmerle, Extension horticulture educator, told the Illinois Extension. “By helping people help pollinators through growing native flowering plants everywhere from their backyard to roadsides, we hope to create more habitats across Illinois.”    

The Illinois Extension supports projects throughout the state, aimed at creating more food and habitat for pollinators. This includes the Open Gate Garden in Madison County, the Danville Public Library pollinator pocket and the Idea Garden in Kane County. Nearly 10 years ago, the Extension also began tracking “pollinator pockets.” Now, there are 600 community-based gardens reported. Find out how to create and register your own pollinator pocket garden here.

“The incredible response from the community shows how individual actions can add to the larger effort to support pollinators. Each of these registered gardens helps sustain a healthy environment for pollinators and people,” Horticulture Educator Ryan Pankau told the Illinois Extension.  

During Pollinator Week, the Illinois Extension will also offer a series to help community members learn more about bees. You can register for a session on June 17 — which discusses native bees — or the session on June 19 — where you can learn about building a resilient garden — here.