Many of America's vital pollinators are at an elevated risk of extinction

Ever heard the saying, save the bees, save the planet

There's some truth to that, but it's not just bees. It's all pollinators

Animals that help move pollen from one flower to another. Without them, the human race would not survive

And a newly published study is giving cause for alarm. The first of its kind study was conducted by a group of non-profits

academic organizations, and government agencies from across North America. The group studied nearly 1600 species, including insects, birds, bats, and some mammaries

and found more than one in five of the continent's native pollinators are at an increased risk for extinction

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

as are all three pollinating bat species. The part of North America facing the biggest threat is the American Southwest

where there are a lot of different species and climate-related stressors. Researchers say climate change is a big thing

factor that's putting pollinators in danger. But pesticide use, habitat loss, and urban development

also play key roles. There are ways you can help. The study's authors say planting flowering plants

native to your area makes a big difference, even if they're in pots, but make sure you use seeds

that have not been treated with pesticides. And while it may not win you any landscaping awards

they also encourage you to leave dead vegetation alone, as it helps provide a home

for insects throughout their life cycles. For more unbiased updates, download the Straight Arrow News app or go to sAN.com