Anna DeVolld was gardening by age 10. One summer she spotted four bees swarming on one of her sunflowers. Why did the bees so enjoy the bloom? She started to research. And that research led to taking action to preserve the world’s much-needed pollinators.

Anna lives in a home where curious minds thrive. “My family taught me from a very young age to notice and appreciate . . . God’s creation.”

She learned bees move pollen around plants and from one to another. Animals like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are vital to plant life. Pollinators help 75 percent of food crops and around 90 percent of flowering plants make seeds.

Her research also exposed some hard news. The world is losing a LOT of its bees. Habitat loss and pesticides are at least partly to blame. According to Bee Informed, U.S. beekeepers lost about 40 percent of their hives between 2021 and 2022.

Anna had an idea. Why not start a program that teaches children how to care for pollinators? Even though she was just a young teen, she founded P.O.P. (Promote Our Pollinators) in 2018.

P.O.P. offers Curriculum Kits for schoolteachers. An online class is also an option. “Plant-and-Take” talks are shorter live lessons on why pollinator numbers are low and what to do to help. Anna offers free six-pack pots with seedlings to plant. She has given away over 2,000 packs.

Anna is now 17. She has received many awards and grants for her efforts. She says young people often feel like they should wait until they’re older to serve in big ways. But children can do great things. “My advice is to find something you’re passionate about, no matter how small, and see how you can use it to change the world. You’ll be amazed at what a difference you can make,” she says.

Why? God uses children and adults to help in His creation. You can help in some way too!

For more about plants and flowers, see The Gardener by Sarah Stewart in our Recommended Reading.