BEE POSITIVE

Honey bee on goldenrod flower.

Pollinators include birds, bats, bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. They are responsible for pollinating as much as 85% of the food that we consume and all are facing a steep decline in their numbers. There are many contributing factors at play in their downturn - many of which are man-made. For instance, the use of commercial pesticides is a major factor in the reduction of their numbers. Other issues include viruses and parasites, habitat loss, and climate change. Each has been cited as contributing to a drastic reduction in the numbers of pollinators globally.

What can you do?

• Plant a pollinator friendly garden around your home – include native plants as much as you can.

• Support Garden Centers that do not sell neonicotinoid treated plants.

• Do not use chemical pesticides in your own garden. Look for organic certified solutions.

• Encourage beneficial insects to colonize in your garden with a bee box/insect hotel.

• Learn about beekeeping as a hobby. Though the honeybee population has stabilized recently, bee keeping offers benefits including the production of your own honey.

• Support farmers who grow organically and support local beekeepers when you purchase honey. Commercially produced honey is often highly processed - losing much of it’s flavor and health benefits.

• Support organizations that are helping to bring awareness and advocacy to this issue.

• Contact government officials and let them know that you support regulations to protect pollinators and their habitats.