WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new bipartisan resolution, led by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.), and Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-Cal.) and Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.), aims to raise awareness about the crisis facing many pollinators by designating June 16 to 22 as National Pollinator Week. This resolution recognizes the importance of pollinators in sustaining our nation’s farms, forests and families.

“Native pollinators like bees and butterflies do so much to support our ecosystems and our economic systems. Our way of life depends on these tiny, often unseen, creatures whose numbers are dwindling rapidly,” said Rebeca Quiñonez-Piñón, monarch recovery strategist for the National Wildlife Federation. “We thank Senators Merkley and Braun, as well as Representatives Panetta and Yakym, for working together to raise awareness about the urgent need to conserve all pollinators, including the one-of-a-kind monarch butterflies. We look forward to working with Congress on bills that will make a difference on-the-ground, like the MONARCH Act, the Pollinator-Friendly Labeling Program and the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act.”