The Bee & Butterfly Habitat Fund—a collaborative effort between Pheasants Forever, Syngenta, the honey industry, and others—is an example of a growing number of alliances aiming to significantly impact their local landscapes and beyond. The partnership is improving pollinator forage and habitat for honey bees, native bees, butterflies, birds, and other pollinators. (Photo courtesy of Syngenta)

By Caydee Savinelli, Ph.D.

Editor’s Note: This Entomology Today post is a sponsored article contributed by Syngenta, a Gold Corporate Partner of the Entomological Society of America. The views presented in sponsored posts reflect those of partner organizations and not necessarily those of ESA. Learn more about Syngenta and the ESA Corporate Partner program.

Biodiversity plays a critical role in both the productivity of crop production and the preservation of natural resources, helping to maintain and support a fertile ecosystem. These systems also allow farmers to grow healthy crops that contribute to our food supply. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, more than three-quarters of the world’s food crops rely on pollination by insects and other animals. Syngenta recognizes the mutual relationship between agriculture and nature and is committed to promoting and protecting biological diversity.

Partnerships are a great way to make a positive impact on local landscapes. We continue to build our rich network of sustainability partnerships with non-governmental organizations, the food value chain, agricultural businesses, and farmers to increase the impact we can make together. The Bee & Butterfly Habitat Fund—a collaborative effort between Pheasants Forever, Syngenta, the beekeeping industry, and others—is an example of a growing number of alliances aiming to significantly impact their local landscapes and beyond. The partnership is improving pollinator forage and habitat for honey bees, native bees, butterflies, birds, and other pollinators.

Through our Operation Pollinator program, we’re putting biodiversity in action by creating essential habitats to restore pollinators in agricultural settings, on golf courses, and within other landscapes. The program provides farmers, golf course managers, and other land managers with the tools and information needed to successfully establish pollinator-attracting wildflowers, while enhancing the visual appearance of marginal land. With careful site planning and management, Operation Pollinator can significantly reduce soil erosion and help protect valuable water resources from soil and nutrient pollution. And, through an ongoing partnership with Syngenta and Operation Pollinator, R.D. Offutt, a family-owned and operated potato farm and the largest potato grower in the U.S., has planted more than 600 acres of pollinator habitat in the corners of potato fields where pivot irrigation systems don’t reach.

We can all do our part to protect pollinators and other beneficial insects by working together to promote more sustainable practices. Learn more about pollinator protection and stewardship best practices by visiting www.BeeHealth.org.

Click image to visit http://www.BeeHealth.org

Caydee Savinelli, Ph.D., is stewardship team and pollinator lead at Syngenta in Greensboro, North Carolina. Email: caydee.savinelli@syngenta.com.