SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Pollinators are a critical part of our ecosystem and the food we eat. They provide pollination for one-third of the food we eat like fruits, nuts and vegetables. Pollinator populations in the U.S. have been falling for decades. Pollinator loss poses a significant threat to United States agriculture and the ability of our farmers to feed a growing world population.
In order to raise awareness of the importance of pollinators and the threats they face, the United Nations (UN) designated May 20th as World Bee Day. According to the UN, this year World Bee Day will focus on bee production and good practices adopted by beekeepers to support their livelihoods and deliver high-quality products.
“Minnesota has been leading the charge in protecting our pollinators,” said Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL – South St. Paul). “I am proud of the work we’ve accomplished in Minnesota to address this global issue. During the 2019 Session, we passed a nation-leading Lawns to Legumes program, established the Rusty Patched Bumblebee as the official state bee, and provided much-needed funding for pollinator research. This past Session, House DFLers pushed for additional funding for the overwhelmingly popular Lawns to Legumes program. Minnesotans expect us to protect our pollinators, and I applaud the UN for bringing attention to this critical issue.”
More information on World Bee Day can be found at https://www.un.org/en/observances/bee-day.