WHEREAS, pollinator species, including birds and insects, are significant components of Virginia’s natural heritage resources, providing an essential and irreplaceable pollination process to maintain healthy, biodiverse, and resilient natural habitats and communities; and

WHEREAS, pollination plays a vital role in the ecosystem health of our natural surroundings and habitats, including forests, grasslands, wetlands, and riparian areas, which provide sanctuary, clean air, and clean water for Virginia’s wildlife, citizens, and visitors; and

WHEREAS, pollinators help to ensure the stability and vitality of natural ecosystems and are natural resources important to the forestry, agriculture, and recreational industries, all contributing to sustainable economic development opportunities for Virginia communities; and

WHEREAS, pollination is relied upon by Virginia’s farmers and ranchers who do yeoman’s work to produce a fresh and nutritious food supply for our Commonwealth and beyond; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia provides producers with conservation assistance to promote wise resource conservation and responsible stewardship, including the protection and maintenance of pollinators and their habitat on working lands and surrounding natural areas;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize June 20-26, 2022, as VIRGINIA POLLINATOR WEEK in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.