A monarch butterfly resting on a cluster of pink flowers surrounded by green foliage. 
Pollinator Education

Why Pollinators Matter

Pollinators play a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems and supporting food production throughout the Columbia Basin. From backyard gardens to commercial agriculture, many plants depend on pollinators to reproduce and produce the fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts we rely on every day.

While honeybees are among the most recognizable pollinators, they are only one part of a much larger network that includes native bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, flies, birds, and other beneficial species. Together, these pollinators help sustain the biodiversity that keeps our environment healthy and productive.

At Desert Farms Apiary, we believe responsible beekeeping goes hand in hand with supporting all pollinators and promoting healthy habitats throughout our community.

Honey Bees and Native Bees

Honeybees often receive the most attention because they produce honey and live in managed colonies. However, Washington State is home to hundreds of native bee species that are equally important to local ecosystems.

Honey Bees

  • Live in large colonies

  • Produce honey and beeswax

  • Can be managed by beekeepers

  • Pollinate a wide variety of plants and crops

Native Bees

  • Include mason bees, leafcutter bees, bumble bees, and many others

  • Often live alone rather than in colonies

  • Do not produce surplus honey

  • Are highly effective pollinators for many native plants and crops

Healthy landscapes support both managed honey bees and native pollinator species.

Close-up of a bee on white flowers with a blurred green background.

Pollinators in the Columbia Basin

The Columbia Basin provides a unique environment for pollinators thanks to its combination of native habitats, irrigated agriculture, and seasonal wildflowers.

Throughout the growing season, pollinators may forage on:

An orchard with rows of apple trees laden with ripe red apples, under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.
Green meadow with purple wildflowers and tall grass in the background.
A wide landscape view of a field with tall grass and yellow wildflowers in the foreground. In the background, there are many green trees and a light blue sky with some wispy clouds.
Close-up of a bee covered in yellow pollen, resting on a bright yellow dandelion flower with green foliage in the background.

Spring

  • Fruit tree blossoms

  • Dandelions

  • Clover

  • Ornamental flowering trees and shrubs

Summer

  • Alfalfa

  • Sweet clover

  • Sunflowers

  • Garden flowers

  • Wildflowers

Fall

  • Rabbitbrush

  • Goldenrod

  • Late-season wildflowers

  • Landscape plantings

A bee on a cluster of small yellow flowers with a blurred green background.

How You Can Help Pollinators

Supporting pollinators does not require a large farm or garden.
Small actions can make a meaningful difference.

Hands holding a small yellow flower with a blurred background.

Plant Pollinator-Friendly Flowers

Choose a variety of flowering plants that bloom from spring through fall to provide a continuous food source.

Reduce Pesticide Use

Use pesticides only when necessary and always follow label instructions. Avoid applying pesticides to blooming plants whenever possible.

Provide Water

A shallow source of clean water can benefit pollinators during the warmer months.

Leave Some Natural Habitat

Native plants, brush, and undisturbed areas provide nesting and shelter opportunities for many pollinator species.

Support Local Beekeepers
and Growers

Purchasing local agricultural products helps support sustainable farming and pollinator-friendly practices within your community.