Pollinator Week 2026 in NYC | Book the Somo Monarks Tour

Week of June 22 - June 28

Pollinator Week 2026 is a unique opportunity for New York City schools to educate students about the vital role pollinators play in sustaining ecosystems, food systems, and biodiversity. As species like the monarch butterfly, native bees, and even bats face habitat decline, environmental education becomes essential.

The Somo Monarks Book Tour brings pollinator education directly to classrooms, libraries, community centers, and auditoriums across NYC. The program offers students an immersive experience that blends science, storytelling, and hands on learning.

Why Pollinator Week Matters

Pollinator Week is a nationally recognized celebration that raises awareness about species that are crucial to our environment. It highlights urgent issues such as declining biodiversity, habitat loss, climate change impacts, and food system vulnerabilities.

By hosting a Somo Monarks program during Pollinator Week, schools demonstrate their commitment to environmental literacy while inspiring students to take action.

Pollinators Power Our Ecosystem

Pollinators are responsible for the reproduction of nearly 75 percent of flowering plants and more than one third of the food we consume. Without them, ecosystems collapse and food systems weaken.

These pollinators transfer pollen from flower to flower, allowing fruits, vegetables, and seeds to develop. Many are experiencing population decline due to habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and climate change.

In an urban environment like NYC, every green space matters. Rooftop gardens, schoolyards, community farms, and even sidewalk planters serve as critical habitat.

When students understand this, they begin to see the city differently. Science becomes visible.

How Sleepy the Morning Bat Enhances Pollinator Education

Bats are often overlooked as pollinators, yet many species are critical for pollinating night blooming plants and maintaining biodiversity. The Sleepy the Morning Bat books by Bronx born author Willie Alvarez introduce students to pollinators in a way that is accessible and imaginative.

Through the story of Sleepy, students learn about the importance of lesser known pollinators, habitat protection and conservation, ecosystem balance and biodiversity, and responsibility for environmental stewardship.

By pairing storytelling with interactive discussion, students understand that pollination is more than bees. It is a network of species, each playing a unique role in our world.

Sleepy the Morning Bat aligns perfectly with Pollinator Week, creating a meaningful, age appropriate way to connect students to global awareness efforts while making the learning experience fun and memorable.

What Schools Can Expect from the 2026 Somo Monarks Book Tour

The Sleepy the Morning Bat books are thoughtfully created for elementary school students, introducing young readers to pollinators through imaginative storytelling and relatable characters. The story makes environmental science simple, engaging, and age appropriate for developing minds.

Through interactive read aloud sessions and guided classroom discussions, students learn about pollinators, ecosystems, and biodiversity in a way that feels exciting and accessible. The program encourages curiosity, builds foundational environmental awareness, and helps children understand how their everyday actions can support pollinators in their own communities.

This is more than a typical school visit. It is an immersive experience designed to inspire young learners and nurture a lifelong respect for nature.

Take Action During Pollinator Week

Schools can maximize impact by pairing the Somo Monarks Book Tour with actionable projects. Launching a pollinator garden with native plants, hosting a student led planting or composting day, tracking local pollinator activity and documenting observations, and inviting families to participate in environmental awareness events are all excellent ways to reinforce learning.

Pollinator Week is the perfect window to combine education with action, helping students connect what they learn with tangible steps they can take in their own communities.

Honor Pollinator Week June 15 through June 21, 2026 by hosting an interactive elementary school visit with Bronx born author Willie Alvarez. Inspire young learners to understand and protect pollinators through story driven environmental education.