Contributed By: Alexandria Ducksworth
It’s that time of the year for singing early birds and daffodils rising from the last remnants of winter. Bees are buzzing about, but it seems like less of them are coming out every year.
According to a 2015-16 nationwide survey, beekeepers have lost 44% of their honey bee colonies. Pesticides and pesky varroa mites are a few of the culprits behind the bees’ disappearances. Some species, like the Hawaiian yellow-faced bee, came dangerously close to mass extinction.
If all the bees in the world disappeared, people will have to deal with extreme crop shortages and economic crashes.
Here’s what you can do to save the bees starting this spring:
1.Plant a bee-friendly garden
2. Place a bowl of fresh water outside for thirsty bees
3. Build a bee house
4. Register your green space to the Pollinator Partnership
5. Become a beekeeper
Visit our upcoming “Planting a Bee-Friendly Garden” events on March 22, 6:30pm and April 7, 2:30pm