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In February 2025, EcoAlpha conducted a survey at Mall of America, the largest mall in the United States, to assess public knowledge, attitudes, and interest in learning about pollinators. In total, 92 people completed the survey. The survey consisted of six questions including: what pollinators include, how participants think the pollinator population in Minnesota has changed over time, how much pollinators contribute to food crop production, the major threats to pollinators, participants' willingness to learn more about pollinators, and the activities participants are interested in learning about pollinators. The results are summarized in Figure 1 to Figure 6.
Figure 1. Which of the following do you consider to be pollinators?
Figure 1. Which of the following do you consider to be pollinators?
As shown in Figure 1, while most recognized bees (91%) and butterflies (82%) as pollinators, fewer identified birds (49%), bats (27%), and insects like flies (24%) and beetles (20%). Some participants mistakenly thought ants, spiders, earthworms, and even mosquitoes were pollinators.
Figure 2. How do you think the pollinator population in Minnesota has changed over time?
Figure 2. How do you think the pollinator population in Minnesota has changed over time?
Figure 2 shows that 67% of participants believed the pollinator population had declined, 4% thought it had increased, and 29% were unsure.
Figure 3. What percentage of food crops do you think depend on pollinators?
Figure 3. What percentage of food crops do you think depend on pollinators?
Most participants (59%) correctly stated that over 75% of food crops rely on pollinators, 14% believed that 50%-75% of food crops rely on pollinators, and the rest (27%) thought a lower percentage of food crops depend on pollinators (Figure 3).
Figure 4. Which of following do you believe are major threats to pollinators?
Figure 4. Which of following do you believe are major threats to pollinators?
As shown in Figure 4, pesticide use (81%) and habitat loss (67%) were the most commonly identified threats, followed by diseases and parasites (61%) and climate change (58%). Fewer participants (35%) recognized invasive species as a threat, while some incorrectly identified garden pests like aphids or dead trees and logs as harmful to pollinators.
Figure 5. Would you be interested in learning more about actions you can take to protect pollinators?
Figure 5. Would you be interested in learning more about actions you can take to protect pollinators?
Eighty-one percent of participants expressed interest in learning more about actions to protect pollinators, with 31% stating they are interested and 50% indicating they may be interested (Figure 5).
Figure 6. What kind of activities or information would you find most useful to learn about pollinators?
Figure 6. What kind of activities or information would you find most useful to learn about pollinators?
The survey also explored participants' interests in activities or information regarding pollinators, with many participants favoring social media education (56%), hands-on activities (53%), and informational pamphlets or brochures (50%) as preferred learning methods (Figure 6).
To enhance public awareness and conservation efforts, outreach should focus on increasing knowledge about lesser-known pollinators such as birds, bats, and beetles while clarifying misconceptions about non-pollinators like ants and earthworms. Outreach programs should emphasize the declining pollinator populations and their vital role in food security and reinforce the importance of conservation. Public engagement should be strengthened through hands-on activities, social media campaigns, and educational brochures, catering to preferred learning methods identified in the survey. These actions will help create more informed communities and encourage sustainable practices to support pollinator health.
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