June 20th is
WORLD BEE DAY
This year’s theme, "Bee inspired by nature to nourish us all", says it all. Without the work that these little fellows do, our lives would be radically changed.
Over 75% of the world’s flowers and agricultural crops rely on insects for pollination, with bees being the most efficient and important pollinator. Without bees, foods like apples, almonds, blueberries and green beans would soon disappear from grocery store shelves. Wildflowers would no longer grace the meadows. Ecosystems would fall apart because the insects and animals that feed off of the disappeared plants would eventually starve. The planet would slowly die.
Habitat loss is one of the chief causes of the decline in the number of bees.
Consider adding a pollinator garden to your property this spring. A well-designed garden gives bees – and other pollinators – not only food to eat, but also a safe place to nest.
The overuse of toxic chemicals kills pollinators, and other wildlife, both directly and indirectly.
We know that bees and other pollinators ingest toxins as they gather contaminated nectar, but we forget that they also absorb toxins as they touch treated plants. Try reserving an area as a chemical free zone. It will be the beginning of a thriving, balanced ecosystem.
Hybrid flowers are developed to please people with big blooms and appealing colors, not to sustain wildlife.
Adding natives to your garden assures the bees that their food source has the perfect nutrient balance.
A pristine yard may be lovely to look at, but it adds stress to pollinators.
Bees and other insects need some mess in their lives. A few fallen branches, a pile of leaves or a patch of bare ground can give beneficial insects safe homes in which to live and breed.
Bees, as well as other pollinators, are in serious decline, not just here in the United States, but all over the world. That’s a problem for all of us. Fortunately, we have the power to change the outcome. Resolve to make sustainability your gardening goal this year. The bees will thank you.
