Why Pollinators Matter

The Pollinator Crisis by the Numbers

National Picture

Managed honey bee colonies in the U.S. have plummeted from 6 million in 1947 to roughly 2.5 million today — a decline of nearly 60% over six decades. In 2025, beekeepers reported losing upward of 60% of their hives, potentially topping the previous year's record. Annual losses of 40–50% have become the new normal.

Wild bees are faring no better. An estimated 23% decline occurred across the U.S. between 2008 and 2013 alone, driven by conversion of natural habitats to row crops. Over 50% of the roughly 4,000 North American wild bee species with data are declining, and more than 70 species are listed as endangered or threatened.

The economic stakes are enormous: wild and managed bees together contribute approximately $15 billion in crop value annually in the U.S. Insect pollination adds more than $34 billion in total economic value. Globally, animal-mediated pollination is worth over $235 billion per year. Roughly 35% of global food crop production — one out of every three bites — depends on animal pollinators.

North Carolina Specifically

North Carolina is home to more than 500 species of native bees, over 2,200 species of moths, and more than 170 species of butterflies. Bee pollination accounts for approximately $120 million annually in NC fruit and vegetable yields. NC agriculture — the state's number one industry at roughly $87 billion — depends significantly on these pollinator services.

Key NC crops requiring pollination include blueberries, apples, squash, pumpkins, watermelon, cucumbers, strawberries, and peaches. A NC blueberry study found that wild bee richness was as important as honey bee abundance in predicting pollination success. North Carolina leads the entire Eastern U.S. with 142 pollen specialist bee species — 28% of the state's native bees — meaning these species depend entirely on a single plant genus to survive.

Environmental Benefits of Going Native

Water Conservation

Once established, native plant landscapes require little to no supplemental irrigation, unlike traditional turf lawns — the largest irrigated "crop" in the country. Native plants develop deep root systems (some prairie grasses reach 10–12 feet deep) that improve water infiltration and dramatically reduce stormwater runoff.

Soil Health

Deep native root systems break up compacted soil, improve soil structure, and increase microbial activity. Leguminous natives like wild indigo and clover fix atmospheric nitrogen, naturally fertilizing the soil. Native landscapes build topsoil over time rather than degrading it.

Climate Impact

Running a gas lawn mower for one hour produces roughly the same pollution as driving 100 miles. Converting lawn to native meadows eliminates that entirely. Native plants with deep root systems store significant carbon underground. Ecologically managed soils capture up to 30% more carbon. Nationally, ecological landscaping could reduce lawn equipment emissions by approximately 30 million tons of CO₂ per year.

Biodiversity

Native plants are the foundation of the food web — they host the caterpillars and insects that birds and mammals need to eat. Doug Tallamy's research documented over 1,300 moth species at a single 10-acre native habitat site. Loss of native trees like oaks threatens the entire food chain. Native landscapes support beneficial insects, amphibians, reptiles, and birds in ways that manicured turf simply cannot.

The Cost Savings Are Real

The U.S. lawn care industry generates roughly $99.8 billion in annual revenue. Native landscapes, once established, need no fertilizer, no pesticides, no irrigation, and minimal mowing — saving homeowners hundreds to thousands of dollars every year.