Daily Postcard: A bee sits in a bright yellow flower on May 20 at Bandelier National Monument. An estimated 1,000 bee species reside in New Mexico: a quarter of all species found in the United States. Bees play a vital role as pollinators on the landscape. But what’s a pollinator? They’re animals like bees, butterflies, birds, ants, bats and wasps that facilitate the transportation of pollen between plants and flowers. Pollen transfer is essential to fruit production, and these pollinators make it possible for people to harvest fruits and vegetables. Bees contribute to the wellbeing of healthy plants. They also help make the planet greener every day. May 20 was World Bee Day. A great way to celebrate World Bee Day is to plant native species and create a habitat to attract pollinators like bees. Visit local gardens and nurseries to find out what’s blooming in the local area. Photo by Sally King/NPS