By Jennifer Morgan, MoveUP Environment Committee member

National Pollinator Week is June 16 to 22, 2025.

Pollinator Week is a vital reminder of the critical role that bees, butterflies, birds, and other pollinators play in our ecosystems and food supply. As an environmental committee within our union, we recognize that the well-being of pollinators directly impacts not only biodiversity but also human livelihoods.

Pollinators facilitate the reproduction of over 75% of flowering plants and approximately 35% of global food crops, yet their populations are in decline due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. Protecting them requires conscious collective action and workplaces can contribute meaningfully.

Fun fact: Dr. Francesca Barbero, a professor of zoology at the University of Turin in Italy, in studying the interactions of bees and flowering plants, has found that flowers can sense when their bee pollinators are coming near them by sound vibrations, and within 10 minutes, secret nectar with the highest sugar content. Imposters, such as flies, don’t trigger the flower and therefore only get a low sugar nectar. Also, the flies don’t pick up any pollen, so they are of no use to the flower. These are called ‘robbers’.

Simple, yet effective steps, to protect pollinators include planting pollinator-friendly flowers in office spaces or advocating for pesticide-free landscaping. Supporting sustainable agriculture and educating colleagues about pollinator conservation also strengthens our impact. As a union, we have the power to push for greener policies that protect habitats and promote environmental stewardship.

This National Pollinator Week let’s move beyond awareness and into action. Advocate for pollinator-friendly policies in your workplace and community. Push for pesticide-free landscaping, support local beekeepers, and commit to planting native flowers in shared spaces. Every voice matters. Let’s use ours to demand stronger environmental protections and ensure a future where pollinators thrive. Our union stands for collective strength; together, we can make a lasting impact. Let’s act now!

Here are some effective ways to assist in pollinator conservation:

• Sign petitions to ban harmful pesticides in our community
• Plant native flowers in your yard or workplace
• Support local pollinators by buying honey from local beekeepers and choose organic produce
• Share pollinator facts with coworkers and push for eco-friendly policies in your workplace
• Volunteer for pollinator-friendly initiatives or participate in habitat restoration efforts.

More reading

2025 Pollinator Week Canada Toolkit
Earth Rangers: Top Ten Coolest Pollinators
Pollinator Partnership Canada: Pollinator Week Canada