Some estimates say that one in every three bites of food that we eat exists only because of pollination by creatures such as bees, birds, butterflies, bats, and moths. Thirty-five percent of the world’s food is dependent upon pollination by these creatures, and ¾ of the world’s flowering plants are only able to reproduce because of them. By now I am sure that you have heard that pollinators are in trouble. The causes include loss of habitat, disease from non-native species, and pesticides.
On the evening of Thursday, June 4th, we will be screening the film “The Little Things that Run the World.” The film consists of a series of interviews with scientists and activists who are both studying and implementing changes to help save the insects that the world depends on, and it includes one of the last interviews with E.O. Wilson before he passed, a scientist who is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest naturalists of our time.
Following the film, we will have a discussion and Q&A about how we can make a difference in supporting a healthy ecosystem for insects and the other pollinators in our area. Our panel guests include Desiree Narango of the Vermont Center for Ecostudies, Stephanie Reger of Wilde Bee Farm, and Abbie Castriotta of CRAFT who runs our local native plant sale.
This discussion is very relevant to Vermont, where between 60%-80% of our wild plants depend on creature pollination. Vermont is home to 275 different species of bees, three of which were recently added to the threatened and endangered species list. Last year, Vermont banned Neonicotinoids, a class of pesticides used in agriculture, seed treatment, and grass management that can have a devastating effect on our pollinators.
Insects make up roughly ¾ of all species on the planet, and fill a myriad of important rolls in addition to pollination. Millions of insects can exist in a single acre of land. Many insects are primary or secondary decomposers, helping to break down dead plants, animals, and waste. They provide food for mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles. Some predictions state that up to 40% of the world’s insects will have gone extinct at the end of this century. Without insects, our world would be a very different place.
We hope that you will join us to learn about “The Little Things that Run the World” and how we can give them the help that they need.
What you can do:
- Join us for a screening of the film “The Little Things that Run the World” on Thursday, June 4th from 5:30-8 PM. This event is free and small bites will be included. Donations are welcome. Register for the event at sustainablewoodstock.org.
- Include pollinator friendly plants in your garden, and especially include native plants.
- Learn how to rewild your lawn and garden.
- Help remove invasive species at a workday with Sustainable Woodstock and Farm and Wilderness Conservation on June 6th, 9 – 11:30 AM.