National Pollinator Week kicks off
The declining bee population is a major topic being explored during the first Nat'l. Pollinator Week, June 24-30. More than 120 organizations have joined to spread awareness of the importance of bees, bats, butterflies, beetles and other pollinators. The U.S. Postal Service will issue a series of 4 commemorative stamps on Friday during a ceremony featuring U.S. Secretary of Ag. Mike Johanns. Pulitzer prize-winning scientist and pollination expert E.O. Wilson will speak on the importance of pollinators at a reception at the Kaiser Family Foundation in Washington, D.C.

Home Depot sells wholesale division
Three private equity firms agreed to purchase HD Supply, Home Depot's wholesale distribution division, for $10.3 billion. The sale is part of an effort to shift Home Depot's focus back to its core retail business. The company will still operate Home Depot Landscape Supply centers in Texas and Georgia.

Invasive plant debate continues
Invasive plants continue to be a hot topic in local newspapers:
• Tree gets a bad name. Danvers Herald
• Crowding out natives. Times Argus
• Plant invasion. Daytona Beach News-Journal

Moth puts California crops at risk
The New York Times recently reported on problems associated with light brown apple moth (LBAM), a pest that feeds on flowers, fruits and firs. Nurseries in Santa Cruz County are particularly concerned about LBAM. More than 3,500 moths have been trapped in the area.

Bird species show sharp declines
A study by Nat'l. Audubon Society shows sharp declines in 20 American bird species, USA Today reported. Whippoorwills and the Rufous hummingbird populations have declined by more than half in the past 40 years. Some drops have been even more dramatic. Northern bobwhite populations declined by 82%; Eastern meadowlark saw a decline of 71%.

Wal-Mart ditches blue vests
Wal-Mart employees will be retiring their blue vests, according to a report from ABC News. Polo shirts and khakis will be the store's official uniform. The new dress code is already in place at a Wal-Mart in Rogers, Ark. The millions of blue vests will be recycled into materials to help armed forces overseas.

On the air: 15-second radio ads
Some businesses are experimenting with 15- and even 5-second ads, according to a report in the Washington Post. The spots, sometimes called nano-ads or blinks, are designed to appeal to an increasingly attention-deficit society. Experts are debating whether the ads are effective.

View from a blog
Assistant editor Sarah Martinez reports from this week's GCA Summer Tour in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Open Register

Worth a visit
Are you as good as you think? Retail consultant Robert Hendrickson says look at your store from the customer's point of view. Only on GreenBeam.com.