Pollinators are declining fast - here’s why it matters. This week, Matt speaks with Kelly Bills, Executive Director of Pollinator Partnership, who explains why pollinators are critical to global food systems and ecosystem health. She discusses declining bee and insect populations, the role of climate change in habitat loss and disrupted plant–pollinator timing, and how agriculture, communities, and corporations can help reverse these trends. Kelly also shares successful conservation initiatives, including Bee Friendly Farming and large-scale habitat restoration projects, along with practical steps individuals can take to support pollinators.

To get involved with Kelly’s organization, visit https://www.pollinator.org

Also check out some of their studies below:

The Basics: Climate Change and Pollinators

https://www.pollinator.org/pollinator.org/assets/generalFiles/Climate-Change-and-Pollinators-Flyer-2023.pdf

Published study: Untangling the Complexity of Climate Change Effects on Plant Reproductive Traits and Pollinators: A Systematic Global Synthesis

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.70081

Executive Summary 2-pager (with the published study)

https://www.pollinator.org/pollinator.org/assets/generalFiles/NAPPC-climate-change-overview_english.pdf 

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Kelly Bills Bio:

Kelly Bills has been dedicated to pollinator conservation for over a decade. Her focus is on large-scale habitat projects, plant-pollinator interactions, and agricultural and industry engagement. Kelly holds an undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies and a minor in Anthropology from the University of California at Santa Cruz. She has also received a Master’s of Science in Environmental Management (Ecology Concentration) from the University of San Francisco. Her background in ecology, conservation, and culture has propelled her career in the non-profit sector. Kelly is Executive Director of the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC), is on the Board of Directors of Pollinator Partnership Canada, is a member of the USDA NAREEE Pollinator Subcommittee, and serves on the EPA Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee.

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