How Native Pollinators Keep Greater Yellowstone Blooming

It’s no secret that Greater Yellowstone contains some of the most beautiful wildflower landscapes in the world. In late spring and early summer, fields explode with yellow, purple, pink, and many more vibrant hues found in our native blooming plants. We can thank our native pollinators for providing such a show.

However, Greater Yellowstone’s pollinators are responsible for more than just a wildflower symphony of colors. They are key players in the health of the ecosystem, ensuring native plants flourish and provide nourishment for wildlife, from our smallest birds to our largest grizzly bears. Without native pollinators, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem would be a very different place. 

On this episode we chat with Clay Bolt, who is both a Manager of Pollinator Conservation and a Manager of Communications for the World Wildlife Fund. Clay, based out of Livingston, Montana just north of Yellowstone National Park, works to protect Greater Yellowstone pollinators through habitat restoration, pesticide reduction, and pro-pollinator policy. He’s also a photographer and has featured his work in National Geographic Magazine, The New York Times, and National Wildlife Magazine.

We’ll learn about some surprising native pollinators in Greater Yellowstone, what studying and tracking these tiny residents looks like, and what people can do to support native pollinators in Greater Yellowstone and wherever they may live. Clay also divulges where bumblebees originated from, and you’re definitely going to be surprised by the answer!

Voices of Greater Yellowstone was created by the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, a conservation nonprofit dedicated to working with people to protect the lands, waters, and wildlife of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, now and for future generations.

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is the land of 49+ Indigenous Tribes who maintain current and ancestral connections to the lands, waters, wildlife, plants, and more.

> Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts.

> Donate to the Greater Yellowstone Coalition

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> Xerces Society - Citizen Science Bumble Bee Monitoring

> Montana Moth Project

> Clay's Photography Website

> Bumblebees with Backpacks!!!!

Podcast Artwork > Rachel Dunlap Art

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