ALBANY – The state departments of Environmental Conservation and Agriculture and Markets are celebrating a proclamation made by Gov. Andrew Cuomo designating this week as Pollinator Awareness Week in New York.

Bees may be the most famous pollinators, but butterflies, bats, native bees and hummingbirds all contribute significantly to New York’s economy and well-being. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that pollinators provide New York with $344 million in economic benefits each year. That number jumps to $29 billion for the nation on an annual basis.

But pollinator numbers have dropped off over the last several decades due to a number of factors ranging from parasites to loss of habitat.

DEC and Agriculture and Markets currently lead the state’s Pollinator Protection Task force and are working with other departments to develop a protection plan.

To learn more about events that are happening around the state in honor of Pollinator Awareness Week, visit www.dec.ny.gov/press/106652.html.