Insects that pollinate crops are vital to Nebraska’s agriculture industry, but many species have been dying in large numbers in recent years. The U-S Fish and Wildlife Service is trying to change that. The agency’s Gary Van Vreede says they’re trying to help various groups improve the habitat for pollinators like bees and butterflies.

There are about 50-thousand bee colonies in Nebraska which produce more than 3.75-million pounds of honey per year.

Van Vreede says insecticides and other chemicals are taking a toll on honey bees and monarchs.

Van Vreede says if more Nebraskans could put more nectar and the flowering species out there, that would provide the habitat and food needed to help bees, butterflies and other pollinators to thrive.