Pollination is a very important ecosystem service. In addition to honey bees, wild pollinators (wild bees, hoverflies, butterflies ...) are also important, but their role has been recognized only recently, so it is not yet well-known to the public. In the present study, we made an assessment of the importance of pollination and the diversity of pollinators in primary school pupils and the general public. The raw data were obtained by a questionnaire completed by pupils of the 9th grade of elementary school and an online questionnaire for the general public. In addition, we reviewed the curriculum for elementary school and checked how the pollination topic was presented in the textbooks. This research is the first survey on understanding the importance of pollination and pollinator diversity in Slovenia. We have found that the awareness of the importance of pollination and the pollinator diversity in the elementary school and the general public was similar. Both target groups were aware of the importance of pollination as well as of the consequences of the disappearance of pollinators. Both surveyed groups identified the honey bee as the most important pollinator, while the knowledge about wild pollinators was worse. The main factors identified to have negative impact on pollinators were agriculture and city sprawl. By reviewing the curriculum and textbooks, we established that they underrepresent the importance of pollination and pollinator diversity.
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