Pollinator Protection Campaign Presents Award to Almond Board

The North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC) recently presented its Business for Bees Sustainability Award to the Almond Board of California (ABC) and the state’s almond farmers. This is an honor reserved for organizations that go all out to support pollinators.

“This is about their long-term dedication to supporting all pollinators in their orchards and throughout our ecosystem,” said Kelly Rourke, executive director of Pollinator Partnership, which founded NAPPC 21 years ago. “We’ve worked with them for many years and this is well-deserved recognition of their steadfast commitment to engaging farmers in pollinator conservation on multiple levels. The Almond Board and the entire almond industry have really moved the needle to raise awareness and generate action to protect pollinators.”

NAPPC has only given out its Business for Bees Sustainability Award on one other occasion. It is given in years when there is a business taking extra special steps to protect bees and all pollinators, and to advance sustainability and innovation.

“ABC’s name is on this award, but it really goes to the 7,600 almond farmers in California,” said Josette Lewis, ABC’s chief scientific officer. “Farmers understand how important pollinators are to growing almonds, and to all of agriculture and the environment. They want to be part of the solution.”

The reasons for the award, Rourke said, include ABC’s leadership in founding the California Pollinator Coalition, its work promoting on-farm pollinator habitat, and its support of years of research and education about the best practices for providing hospitable environments for pollinators in almond orchards and in other habitats.