This week (June 15 – 21) marks National Pollinator Week. According to Pollinator.org,

• About 75% of all flowering plant species need the help of
  animals to move their heavy pollen grains from plant to
  plant for fertilization.
• About 1,000 of all pollinators are vertebrates such as birds,
  bats, and small mammals.
• Most pollinators (about 200,000 species) are beneficial
  insects such as flies, beetles, wasps, ants, butterflies,
  moths, and bees.

The North Carolina Botanical Garden is presenting Saving Our Pollinators, a four-month exhibition which features 29 events, including workshops, exhibits, talks, and tours that highlight the acute plight of pollinators, including bees, birds, bats, and butterflies. Details are here.

You can help pollinators in your own yard by planting flowers and keeping them free of pesticides. Include native perennials to attract our native bees. Native bees, like honeybees, are declining in numbers. To provide the most benefit to pollinators, plant a variety of flowers so there are blooms from early spring until fall. Lists of pollinator-friendly plants (such as the link shared in this post) can be found online, or ask a Master Gardener Volunteer or staff member at your favorite garden center.