Pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, birds and other animals bring us one in every three bites of food we eat. Pollinators form the underpinnings of healthy and sustainable ecosystems that support a multitude of wildlife. For years, pollinator populations have been in decline and this decline is attributed most severely to a loss in feeding and nesting habitats. In addition, environmental degradation, the misuse of chemicals, pests and disease, and now climate change are all contributing to shrinking and shifting pollinator populations.

Val Dolcini, formerly the Administrator of the USDA Farm Service Agency, is a fifth generation Californian, a passionate supporter of American farmers and ranchers, and a firm believer in the promise of our nation's rural places.  He is currently the President & CEO of the Pollinator Partnership, an organization dedicated to the support and protection of pollinators throughout North America. 

This year, Val and his team have collaborated with Blondie's Debbie Harry to launch a new campaign called BEE Connected, designed to raise awareness about the decline in the global population of bees, as well as the insects' importance in the food chain and Earth's ecosystems.The initiative ties in with Blondie's new studio album, Pollinator , and debuted in conjunction with the 10th annual National Pollinator Week in June. To raise money for the campaign, limited-edition "Pollinator/Save the Bees" T-shirts are being sold at Blondie.net/beeconnected. The website also features links to various organizations that support bee conservation.

 

To find out more about Val and what you can do to save the bees, visit www.pollinator.org