POLLINATION: HOW IT WORKS
Pollination is the simple act that keeps the planet blooming.
Pollination is the transfer of pollen from the male part of a flower (anther) to the female part (stigma) of the same species. This step is essential for fertilization and the development of seeds and fruit.
Some plants self-pollinate, but most need outside help. That’s where pollinators come in.
As bees, butterflies, flies, and other animals forage for nectar or pollen, they inadvertently brush against the flower’s reproductive organs—picking up pollen and moving it to the next bloom. In many species, a single flower may require multiple visits before pollination is successful.
Roughly 75% of all flowering plants depend on animal pollinators for reproduction. Without them, those plants can’t produce the fruit, seeds, or next generation needed to survive.
Pollination may look accidental—but it’s one of the most finely tuned biological systems on the planet. And it underpins much of the food we eat and the biodiversity we depend on.
WHY POLLINATORS MATTER
Pollinators don’t just make gardens beautiful.
They keep ecosystems running and people fed.
More than 1,000 crops—from coffee and chocolate to melons and medicine—depend on animal pollination. Insects like bees, moths, flies, and beetles do most of the work. Birds, bats, and even some mammals help too.
Some plants rely on just one pollinator species to survive.
Some pollinators depend on just one plant.
If one disappears, the other does too.
But right now, pollinators are under threat. Pesticides, habitat loss, disease, and climate change are driving many species into decline. That’s not just a crisis for bees—it’s a crisis for us.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
You don’t need a farm or a forest to make a difference.
Start with what you’ve got—a garden, a balcony, a sunny sidewalk strip.
Here’s how to help:
- Plant native, pesticide-free flowers that bloom from spring through fall
- Replace some lawn with wildflower beds—even a few square feet helps
- Skip the sprays—even “natural” pesticides can harm pollinators
- Give them water—shallow dishes with stones make great bee baths
- Add bee homes—bare soil or drilled wood blocks are all it takes
- Share the buzz—tell a friend, post a fact, invite others in
Did you know… A tiny fly no bigger than a pinhead pollinates the world’s chocolate supply. Even the smallest creatures can have a global impact.
So can you.
DOUBLE YOUR POLLINATOR IMPACT
This summer only, your donation will go twice as far.
We’re unlocking a $10,000 match for Pollinator Week.
That means every dollar you give helps protect twice as many pollinators and restore twice as much habitat.
[Donate now] and help us reach our $10K goal.
Because when pollinators thrive, so do we.
