Governor Dunleavy declares June 19th

News Home Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Governor Dunleavy has announced that the week of June 19th - 25th as Alaska Pollinator Week Here is the Governor's full announcement: WHEREAS, Alaska has an abundance of plant and animal species that enhance the natural beauty of our great state, and contribute to the health of our ecosystems and industries; and WHEREAS, pollinator species, such as bees, birds, butterflies, bats, beetles, and others, provide substantial benefits that are vital for maintaining healthy ecosystems, supporting terrestrial wildlife, providing healthy watershed, and more; and WHEREAS, pollination plays a vital role in the health of our forests, grasslands, and other biodiverse environments, which provide forage, fish and wildlife, timber, water, mineral resources, and recreational opportunities, as well as economic development opportunities for individuals and communities; and WHEREAS, pollinator species are also essential to farmers and ranchers, and their activities ensure the full harvests of the crops that produce much of our nation's food supply, to the extent that about one in every three bites of food exists because of the work of pollinators; and WHEREAS, pollinator populations have seen a steady decline since the 1950s, which may be linked to factors such as disease, parasites, viruses, loss of habitat, exposure to pesticides, and lack of genetic diversity; and WHEREAS, without natural pollinator populations, it becomes necessary to artificially create or transport populations to the areas they are needed, which places stress on the pollinators and the environment, and relocation of pollinators can lead to further reduction in quantity due to injury; and WHEREAS, Pollinator Week provides an opportunity to encourage the protection of pollinators, increase the quality and amount of pollinator habitat and forage, reverse pollinator losses, and to help restore pollinator populations to healthy levels.