To the editor:

Pollinators may be small, but they are essential to healthy ecosystems and our daily lives.

In urban areas, however, these species face growing challenges. Pesticides, both insecticides and herbicides, are designed to eliminate pests and unwanted plants, but they also harm these species and reduce the diverse plant life that pollinators rely on. When biodiversity declines, so does access to the nectar and pollen they need to survive.

June is National Pollinator Month, a time to recognize the vital role these species play and the simple actions we can take to support them.

Pollinators are responsible for one out of every three bites of food we eat, and nearly 75% of flowering plants depend on them. In the United States alone, honey bee pollination contributes more than $19 billion to crop production, while other pollinators add nearly $10 billion more. Their importance to agriculture, ecosystems, and food systems cannot be overstated.

Supporting pollinators starts right where we live. By reducing or eliminating pesticide use and planting native species, we can create thriving habitats in our own yards and communities. Even small changes can have a meaningful impact.

This is National Pollinator Month. Consider making your outdoor spaces more welcoming, and take the Good Neighbor Iowa pledge to go pesticide-free:https://goodneighboriowa.org/pledge. Together, we can help pollinators and our ecosystems flourish.

Jordan Holloway

Cedar Falls