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Pollinator Protection

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To address concerns about pollinator declines, honey bee health, and the future of honey and crop production, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP); the University of Wisconsin-Madison; and a variety of stakeholder groups developed the Wisconsin Pollinator Protection Plan. The plan promotes the health and recovery of pollinator populations through voluntary actions. In Wisconsin, pollinators include managed honey bees native to Europe; over 400 species of wild, native bees; other insects, such as flies and wasps; butterflies, moths, and beetles; and one bird species, the ruby-throated hummingbird.

Pollinators play a crucial role in the long-term health of our ecosystems. Bees and other animals pollinate crops that supply one in three bites of food we eat and 80% of flowering plants. In turn, these flowering plants support soil retention and water filtration. Whether you are a gardener, a farmer, a restoration ecologist, or a beekeeper, there are things you can do to protect and support pollinators, our food supply, and our agricultural economy. The Wisconsin Pollinator Protection Plan, released in 2016, identifies voluntary actions everyone can take to protect pollinators.

What the Wisconsin Pollinator Protection Plan Is

The Wisconsin Pollinator Protection Plan is an educational resource that provides voluntary guidance and science-based information for broad audiences. Users are encouraged to pull relevant information from this document to serve their specific needs or those of their organizations.

View the entire Pollinator Protection Plan

Wisconsin Pollinator Protection Plan Development Process

How Can I Help Pollinators?

In general, the plan is targeted at four groups: gardeners, farmers, beekeepers, and restoration specialists. Each of the sections below has resources for each of these groups.