By Christopher E. Stein, Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group, Pollinator Task Force Chair. Program Manager of National Heritage Areas and Community Conservation Partnerships, National Park Service, Interior Regions 3, 4, and 5 (Midwest), United States
Although insect pollinators are responsible for the reproductive success of more than 85% of plants on the planet, scientific studies show that in just the past 50 years, pollinators have declined by more than 40% worldwide. If this trend continues, what will be our grandchildren’s inheritance? Turns out, we can do something about this.
A few years ago, Rotary leaders from around the world started to sign a simple Pollinator Resolution and Pollinator Pledge to show their concern and support for “the little things that run the world” – our precious pollinators. Operation Pollination offers an easy way to engage in pollinator habitat restoration and education activities.
Fast forward to today. The Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG) has adopted this initiative, and more than 70 Rotary districts across six continents are part of the Operation Pollination environmental framework. You too can be part of this growing movement by simply asking your district governor to sign a non-binding Pollinator Resolution online. Many governors also hold an in-person signing ceremony for media attention to show their support for the serious issue of pollinator decline.
Rotary District 6360 signed a joint pollinator resolution with MotorCities National Heritage Area and then got to work installing a new pollinator garden at the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum in Lansing, Michigan (United States).
After your governor signs a Pollinator Resolution, that’s a clear signal to your district’s club presidents that supporting Operation Pollination is endorsed across your region. Next, club presidents sign a Pollinator Pledge committing their club to take action. “Action” that is based solely on Rotary’s Four-Way Test. There are no “pollinator police.”
So, if you are looking for an easy way to get involved with and implement an environmental project, consider joining hundreds of your Rotary peers in support of Operation Pollination.
Please contact me, Chris Stein, ESRAG Pollinator Task Force Chair, by email or telephone at +1 (402) 881-1387.
Service in Action 