Our planet is supported on the wings of bees, butterflies, skippers (flies that hover over flowers) and hummingbirds. These pollinators are threatened primarily by habitat loss, land degradation and both urban and agricultural pesticide use. Any time a natural area is converted to a subdivision, or a sterile lawn is managed with pesticides, these pollinators are heavily compromised, and often times killed. Beekeeper Jeri Parrent has a PhD in ecology and owns a farm on the Bruce Peninsula. Parrent is studying pollinators native to her region – such as the monarch butterfly, ruby-throated hummingbird, bumblebee and squash bee – with the help of her community.