Golden years, golden discoveries: Pollinator outreach at senior centers

With approximately 75% of the world’s crops relying on pollinators, the recent declines in bee populations have far-reaching implications for ecological stability and food security. Bumble bees, critical to both wild and commercial plant pollination, are facing significant declines due to a variety of factors such as climate change, pesticide use, and habitat loss. While scientific research drives our understanding of these issues, widespread conservation support requires engaging with the broader population, particularly older adults who vote at higher rates. Our initiative, "Bee the Scientist," focuses on empowering older adults in Wyoming to actively participate in pollinator conservation. In partnership with the UW Science Initiative Roadshow, we reached 149 older adults in 10 senior centers, with 88.3% of participants reporting increased motivation to advocate for pollinator protection. Our workshops include interactive learning on pollinator diversity and threats, hands-on activities like building bee houses, seed bombs, and building Arduino-based weather stations to understand temperature impacts on pollination. This project highlights the potential impact of focusing conservation outreach on older adults and voters, addressing both local biodiversity conservation and broader policy advocacy.