Rockford nature preserve raises awareness about the decline of pollinators

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Severson Dells Nature Center held Pollinatorpalooza to raise awareness about the decline of pollinators on May 4th.

Bees, butterflies and even bats took center stage while families enjoyed some quality time in nature.

“Pollinators are super important for our environments,” said Environmental Educator Emma Zimmerman. “In fact, most of our food we wouldn’t have if it weren’t for pollinators. Pollinators are declining around the area due to things like farming, losing their ecosystems, and especially prairies.”

Zimmerman said the most important part of the fest is to inspire kids to take care of the earth.

“It’s really important to get kids involved with pollinators. Learn about what pollinators are and what they can do to help support them,” said Zimmerman. “I hope that kids understand what pollinators are, why they’re so important, and that also they care about them because the more you care about something, the more you’re going to be able to help.”

She has some tips on how anyone can help reverse the decline of pollinators.

“One of the best things that people can do to help pollinators is to plant local plants, local flowers, local grasses,” said Zimmerman. “And if you plant them in your lawn, then they’ll have some more habitat as opposed to just a grass lawn.”

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