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Day two of David Pecker testimony wraps in NY Trump trial; Supreme Court hears arguments on Idaho's near-total abortion ban; ND sees a flurry of campaigning among Native candidates; and NH lags behind other states in restricting firearms at polling sites.

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The Senate moves forward with a foreign aid package. A North Carolina judge overturns an aged law penalizing released felons. And child protection groups call a Texas immigration policy traumatic for kids.

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The urban-rural death divide is widening for working-age Americans, many home internet connections established for rural students during COVID have been broken and a new federal rule aims to put the "public" back in public lands.

Enjoying the Fruits of Summer? Thank a Pollinator

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author Mary Kuhlman, Managing Editor

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Friday, June 22, 2018   

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As Illinoisans enjoy blueberries, cherries and other fruits of summer, wildlife experts are asking that they give back to the pollinators who helped them grow. National Pollinator Week, which ends Sunday, is drawing attention to the importance of pollinators for ecosystems and food production.

Mary Phillips, senior director of the Garden for Wildlife program at the National Wildlife Federation, says animal pollinators including bees, butterflies and hummingbirds pollinate one-third of crops in the U.S.

"And in fact, one out of every three bites we eat is the direct result of our pollinators' work. That has been estimated to contribute to $29 billion in American food production," says Phillips.

But habitat loss, parasites and pesticides have contributed to a steep decline of pollinator populations, including Illinois' rusty-patched bumblebee that was recently listed as endangered. Phillips says Illinoisans, and folks from around the nation, are encouraged to plant a garden to support native pollinators.

She explains even small gardens can make a difference by increasing diversity of bee species
across urban and suburban landscapes.

"They can do this by planting anything from a variety of container gardens, if they have a porch or patio, or their backyard or working with community gardens," says Phillips. “And this is really important because pollinators can actually survive in these smaller settings and move from habitat patch to habitat patch."

The National Wildlife Federation is part of the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge, which is two-thirds of the way to its goal. Phillips says habitat gardens can be registered to become part of an online mapping system, and folks can also consult the NWF's native plant finder to discover the best plants for their area.


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