Celebrate World Bee Day on May 20, 2025

Published on May 15, 2025

By Melissa Walker, Environmental Education Specialist

World Bee Day is celebrated on May 20th and is used to remember Anton Jansa and other beekeeping pioneers’ contributions to understanding the importance of bees and other pollinators to our food supply, agricultural lands and our local garden landscapes. Bees and a variety of other insects are responsible for pollinating 85% of flowering plants and more than 70% of the world’s agricultural crops.

Pollination is the process by which plants produce seeds and thus reproduce. A variety of animals help facilitate this process and they are called pollinators. Pollinators such as bees, butterflies, moths, bats, beetles and hummingbirds provide essential pollination services however these pollinators face increasing threats from intensive farming practices, land-use changes, habitat loss and degradation, introduced diseases and other pathogens, and the misuse of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers.

Everyone can take steps to protect and support native bees and other pollinators in their neighborhoods and communities. 

• Plant native flowering plants that bloom in different seasons. Visit local demonstration gardens or view native plant options at www.txsmartscape.com.
• Avoid using broad-spectrum pesticides and herbicides, find alternatives that don’t impact beneficial insects especially during bloom periods.
• Provide pollinators with shelter, nesting sites and a water source.  Utilize native bee hotels, undisturbed ground for nesting and plant diversity to create your own pollinator habitat.
• Learn more about global and local conservation efforts by visiting www.worldbeeday.org or www.xerces.org/pollinator-conservation. 

The City of Arlington is committed to supporting pollinator protection through public education, citizen science projects and; habitat creation and conservation.

• Arlington is proud to be an affiliate of the Xerces Society’s Bee City USA® Program which promotes pollinator conservation and education initiatives.
• Ruthie Brock Native Plant and Pollinator Garden Project at Arlington’s Southwest Branch Library and the Lake Arlington Native Plant and Pollinator Garden are demonstration gardens created by Arlington Stormwater Management, Arlington Water Utilities and Tarrant Regional Water District that provide area residents educational and volunteering opportunities.  For more information visit www.arlingtontx.gov/beecityusa or  www.arlingtontx.gov/City-Services/Water-Utilities/Water-Utilities/Water-Conservation
• Pollinators of Arlington Identification Project utilizing the iNaturalist phone application and local volunteers have documented over 1,000 pollinator species in our area, including native bees, moths, butterflies, and more.  
• Community engagement events such as Native Bee and Pollinator Presentations, Moth Night’s at local parks, and collaborative bio-surveys with local colleges offer residents the chance to get involved and learn more.