Pollinators are in trouble. Many species of bees and butterflies ​have declined in recent decades due to habitat loss and other factors such as the spread of diseases and overuse of pesticides. Several species of pollinators have vanished from Ohio altogether, while monarch butterfly populations have plummeted to alarmingly low levels. Poor health of managed honeybees and declines in native pollinator populations are other critical issues also linked to the decline of pollinator habitat.

Why does this issue matter? Pollinators are critical to ecosystems in Ohio and around the world - about 85% of the world's flowering plants rely on pollinators. Meanwhile, people need the ecosystem services that pollinators provide. About one third of our worldwide food crops rely on pollinators. Pollinating insects move pollen from plant to plant, which is necessary for apples, almonds, and many other fruits and vegetables to bear fruit.

What are we doing? The Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative began in 2015 as a grassroots effort to inform citizens, landowners, farmers, and government agencies about the importance of pollinators and the habitat they need to survive. Today, OPHI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to to provide education, outreach, and technical assistance to all who have an interest in pollinators and protecting our food supply. We also help create and improve habitat for pollinators throughout the state.

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What can I do? At OPHI, we believe that if you're interested in pollinator conservation, it doesn't matter where you're from, what your background is, or what resources you have. If you're willing to do a little bit of work – "all you can, where you can" – that's all that matters. Contact us to get involved!

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The constitution and bylaws of the Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiatives can be downloaded here.