Operation Pollination

Pollinators are essential for human food security, but their populations have fallen catastrophically under the combined assault of habitat loss, pesticides, and disease.

Rotarians worldwide are inspiring and equipping their communities to create pollinator habitats to help save and protect pollinators by signing a simple, non-binding Pollinator Resolution to show their concern for the state of pollinators. After signing a Resolution, these Districts/Clubs sign a simple Pollinator Activity Pledge that is their call for action. Projects you do are based on your capacity and capability. No project is too big or too small. No judgment is ever made. Districts/Clubs have planted pollinator gardens, developed pollinator signs, and distributed seeds to others.

Pollinator projects are a perfect match for Rotary’s strengths: our talent for creating fun, community-wide service projects, our skill in building partnerships across every sector of society, and our District and international networks that make it easy to replicate effective projects. Pollinator gardens literally change the landscape, proving to communities that they have the power to protect the biodiversity we humans need to survive.

Saltmarshes—A Nature-Based Solution to the Climate Crisis

Salt marshes provide shelter for wetland wildlife, act as natural flood defenses by absorbing storm surges, stabilize coastlines against erosion, and store carbon to help combat climate change.

However, according to The State of the World’s Saltmarshes—published by WWF and Sky in collaboration with UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH), Blue Marine Foundation, and the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions—these tidal wetlands have lost nearly half their historical extent. Between 2000 and 2019 alone, the world saw a net saltmarsh loss of 1,453km2—an area twice the size of Singapore. Saltmarshes continue to disappear at a rate of 0.28% per year. This continued loss of saltmarshes is threatening progress on climate goals, turning vital sinks into carbon sources and eroding natural coastal defences.

The report shines a light on what we have lost and continue to lose, where the biggest opportunities lie, and what needs to change. It also highlights that up to 2 million hectares (20,000 km2) of saltmarsh could be restored globally, unlocking their vast potential as flood defences and powerful carbon sinks—making them one of the most scalable nature-based solutions to the climate crisis available.

In parts of the United States, northwest Europe, China, and Australia, saltmarshes are showing signs of recovery due to considerable efforts of conservationists with support from governments and local communities. For example, Steart Marshes, managed by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in southwest England, provides a model for future restoration projects. Their project, which included a bold decision to allow the sea to reclaim previously protected farmland, proves that working with nature can protect communities while rebuilding lost habitats.

Share Your Story With Our Environment Community

Our Environment Committee is passionate about helping the Clubs and Areas within District 5020 in their engagement with the place that they call home. A big part of that is sharing stories about ‘what is happening where’ … there’s so much we can learn from one another’s experiences, and there’s a lot to gain through collaboration on shared interest areas.

Tell us about a project, event, or activity that exemplifies how your Club is helping protect the environment and we’ll share it in our Clubs in Action section, which features a different Club (or Club collaboration) each month, as well as on our Environment Community Share page.

Send us your story in the message box below or submit directly to the contact person provided herein. Please also provide any media files (images, PDFs, videos) that you think will help make your story shine, and remember to include links to information that might prove valuable as resources for other community members and readers.

Contact:
Sonnet Force
lyreforce@gmail.com
250-241-5974