In today’s episode, we’re taking a closer look at the hidden allies keeping our food systems — and brunch menus — alive: native plants and insect pollinators. A new study out of Curtin University reveals that preserving strips of native vegetation beside avocado orchards provides a vital lifeline for pollinators, especially when crops aren’t in bloom.

To help us unpack the science, I’m joined by Dr. Joshua Kestel, lead author of the study and expert in environmental DNA and agroecology. His research shows that native vegetation more than doubles the foraging diversity of pollinating insects — with big implications for global food security and sustainable farming.