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Ever heard the saying, save the bees, save the planet
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There's some truth to that, but it's not just bees. It's all pollinators
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Animals that help move pollen from one flower to another. Without them, the human race would not survive
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And a newly published study is giving cause for alarm. The first of its kind study was conducted by a group of non-profits
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academic organizations, and government agencies from across North America. The group studied nearly 1600 species, including insects, birds, bats, and some mammaries
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and found more than one in five of the continent's native pollinators are at an increased risk for extinction
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The situation is especially dire for bees and bats. Researchers say more than one third of North America's bee species are at risk of extinction
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as are all three pollinating bat species. The part of North America facing the biggest threat is the American Southwest
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where there are a lot of different species and climate-related stressors. Researchers say climate change is a big thing
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factor that's putting pollinators in danger. But pesticide use, habitat loss, and urban development
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also play key roles. There are ways you can help. The study's authors say planting flowering plants
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native to your area makes a big difference, even if they're in pots, but make sure you use seeds
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that have not been treated with pesticides. And while it may not win you any landscaping awards
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they also encourage you to leave dead vegetation alone, as it helps provide a home
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for insects throughout their life cycles. For more unbiased updates, download the Straight Arrow News app or go to sAN.com
