Why bees?
Honey bee on daisy.
Photo from Free Desktop Pictures
You might be wondering why we have such a focus on bees. Honey bees and other pollinating insects are amazing creatures that are responsible for pollinating many of our food crops as well as plants in the environment. Sadly, these insects are in trouble and have seen significant declines in recent years. There are several suspected causes of honey bee decline, including pesticides and parasitic mites that may weaken the bees. Another important factor is lack of access to plants that provide good nutrition for bees. This is where everyone can help - by planting bee-friendly flowers.
For more information, read this interview with Dr. Marla Spivak, Director of the Bee Lab at the University of Minnesota. Or watch Dr. Spivak's TED talk and be inspired to help save the bees!
How you can help bees:
1. Plant flowers, plants and herbs that provide food for bees
2. Eliminate pesticides in your garden and lawn
3. Provide a source of water for bees, such as a shallow basin with clean water in your garden
4. Buy honey from local beekeepers who use sustainable practices.
5. Purchase pesticide-free food
Native pollinators (bumble bees and other bee species, butterflies) are also very important in gardens and ecosystems. Many of the same plants that honey bees enjoy also provide good food for these insects. In addition, you can help many native pollinators by providing habitat for nesting. Many native bees are solitary, and nest in holes in wood or burrowed into undisturbed ground. The Xerces Society is a good resource for information about native pollinators.
For a fun project, build a bee house by drilling holes of different sizes into a piece of wood, or bundle paper or wooden straws together.
For more information, read this interview with Dr. Marla Spivak, Director of the Bee Lab at the University of Minnesota. Or watch Dr. Spivak's TED talk and be inspired to help save the bees!
How you can help bees:
1. Plant flowers, plants and herbs that provide food for bees
2. Eliminate pesticides in your garden and lawn
3. Provide a source of water for bees, such as a shallow basin with clean water in your garden
4. Buy honey from local beekeepers who use sustainable practices.
5. Purchase pesticide-free food
Native pollinators (bumble bees and other bee species, butterflies) are also very important in gardens and ecosystems. Many of the same plants that honey bees enjoy also provide good food for these insects. In addition, you can help many native pollinators by providing habitat for nesting. Many native bees are solitary, and nest in holes in wood or burrowed into undisturbed ground. The Xerces Society is a good resource for information about native pollinators.
For a fun project, build a bee house by drilling holes of different sizes into a piece of wood, or bundle paper or wooden straws together.