Celebrate National Pollinator Week

Of the many national weeks and holidays cropping up like internet weight loss ads, most are easily passed over -- National Beanpole Week, International Dadaism Month, and National Bunsen Burner Day, for example.

Here's one that seems worth celebrating, for all of us who enjoy fruit, chocolate, coffee, or the summer buzz of honey bees at work. 

The third annual National Pollinator Week takes place from June 22 - 28. A series of events hosted by the nonprofit collaboration the Pollinator Partnership, it's designed to educate about endangered pollinators and inspire action. Speakers include National Medal of Science winner and entomologist E. O. Wilson.

Rapidly-disappearing bees have received the most attention lately. But National Pollinator Week also raises awareness for the birds, butterflies, bats, beetles, and mosquitoes that aid in propagating the over 80 percent of the world's crops requiring pollination. 

How does one celebrate? Self-sacrificing individuals will head to their nearest Häagen-Dazs, where purchasing a carton of Vanilla Honey Bee ice cream helps the company fund honey bee research. 

More tangibly, you could expand pollinator habitat by installing a garden, as did the San Francisco residents who planted an organic victory garden in front of city hall. 

If you'd like to better inform yourself, pollinator.org has lots of useful information on the status of pollinators. Or, on a lighter note, pass along this quick video.

--Jamie Hansen