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WHEREAS, planting certain flowering plants, especially native plants that attract beneficial insects to pollinate vegetables, trees and plants is known as a "pollinator garden";
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WHEREAS, pollinators help humans and other animals by pollinating many food sources, and pollinator gardens provide a space that can assist with CO2 emissions while also adding to a beautiful and natural communal area;
WHEREAS, specific pollinator plants are needed for pollinators to reproduce, and only 25% of flowering plants fall into that category. 200,000 animal species are considered actors of pollination and can provide vital resources to plants;
WHEREAS, pollinators improve the quality and quantity of farmers' crop yields;
WHEREAS, one in every three bites of food and over 150 crops are brought to us by pollinators;
WHEREAS, pollination is on the decline, as the population of wild bees has declined over 23% in the past decade, affecting the well-being of animals and food production alike. The US economy will suffer as a result of a major drop in the food supply in the agriculture industry;
WHEREAS, habitat loss, invasive species, pesticide exposure, and disease pose the biggest threat to pollinators, with domestic honey bee hives decreasing in number by 59% since 60 years ago;
WHEREAS, climate change is a social justice and equity issue, disproportionately affecting people of color and people in poverty, thereby exacerbating existing inequities and limiting equality of opportunity;
WHEREAS, in the interest of food stability for future generations, pollinator gardens serve as a great tool;
WHEREAS, pollinator gardens can provide community engagement, learning opportunities and beautify our communities;
WHEREAS, increasing pollinator gardens and pollinator-friendly plants, especially native plantings, within our Pittsburgh gardens and community, whether in areas of former infrastructure or public spaces, can enrich our ecosystem's biodiversity, and in turn provi...
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