In observance of National Pollinator Week, June 17-23, Lehigh and Northampton County Master Gardeners are holding “Pollinator Celebration,” June 22, Burnside Plantation, Bethlehem.

More than 180,000 species of flowering plants rely on insects, birds and mammals, as well as the wind, for pollination.

Animals look to the plants for nectar, a source of sugar, and for pollen, a source of protein. As animals visit the flowers, they transfer pollen from male to female flower parts. Thus, plants and pollinators depend on each other for survival.

Plants rely on pollinators for reproduction and pollinators rely on plants for food. In the northeastern United States, the major groups of pollinators include bees, beetles, butterflies and moths, flies and birds, especially hummingbirds. Any animal such as bats, opossums, ants, and wasps that visit flowers for any reason can also be valuable in the pollination process.

Why care about pollinators? Pollinators are responsible for one-third of what we eat every day. Most fruit and vegetable crops, nuts, seeds, fiber crops (like cotton) and hay to feed livestock rely on insects for pollination. The estimated value of animal-pollinated commodities (food and fiber) that are directly or indirectly used by humans is in the billions of dollars, just in the United States.

Pollinator populations are declining in abundance and diversity, especially bees, butterflies, bats and hummingbirds. Extensive pesticide use and misuse, habitat destruction, monoculture crop systems (only planting one crop species over large areas year after year), invasive plants, and climate change have had a negative impact on pollinator populations.

Although humans are part of this problem, they are also part of the solution. Here are few things you can do to help the pollinators:

- Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) methods for managing pest problems in the landscape areas around your home.

IPM focuses on pest prevention and using the least-toxic chemicals, if any, to control pest issues. Choosing safer products or eliminating pesticide use around and in your home will not only benefit the pollinators, but also the health and well-being of you and your children.

- Plant a pollinator-friendly garden. Think big, but start small. Choose a small area or plant in a large tub.

When starting a pollinator garden strive for:

Abundance. Plant in clumps or drifts.

Diversity. Plant flowers with different shapes, colors and scents.

Sequence. Plant for bloom succession, not all at once.

Local. Whenever possible, choose local plant species native to the Lehigh Valley region.

“Pollinator Celebration”: Lehigh and Northampton County Master Gardeners are holding “Pollinator Celebration,” 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. June 22, Burnside Plantation, 1461 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem.

There will be a free Children’s Workshop, “Beautiful Butterflies,” 11 a.m. - noon. Learn about the life cycle of a butterfly through this interactive presentation and what you can do to attract them to your garden.

Have gardening questions? Master Gardeners will be available to answer your questions.

There will be a native plant sale. Twenty varieties of native plants will be available for purchase.

Learn the value of using native plant landscape plugs. Get tips on planning your native pollinator garden.

“Growing Green” is contributed by Diane Dorn, Lehigh County Extension Office Staff, and Master Gardeners. Information: Lehigh County Extension Office, 610-391-9840; Northampton County Extension Office, 610-813-6613