August 17th is World Honey Bee Day!
Watch our video for 5 fun facts about bees, along with some helpful tips to support local honey bees and protect the environment.
Did you know honey bees are imported agricultural livestock? In their native home, honey bees are an essential part of the ecosystem and help with restoration efforts including desert reclamation. Unfortunately, when they are transported in massive numbers, they face health challenges and can become harmful to local biodiversity.
To avoid these issues caused by large-scale agricultural hives, we can support our buzzing friends by establishing bee-friendly environments at home through personal hives and well-managed pollinator gardens.
- Convert unused pavement and lawn into habitats: Transform unused areas into bee-friendly spaces.
- Provide clean water sources: Ensure water sources have approachable edges and shallow puddle stones to accumulate valuable minerals.
- Plant high nectar and pollen-producing trees: Consider trees like Black Willow, Basswood, Robinia, Catalpa, Black Cherry, and Tupelo. These trees produce more nectar and pollen per acre than meadow flowers and help build winter stores by providing honeydew late in the year.
- Include medicinal flowers in your garden: Flowers such as Sunflower, Asters, Mints, Milkweed, and Goldenrod support a diverse diet, preventing disease in both native and agricultural bee populations.
Together, we can make a difference for our precious pollinators and ensure a healthier planet for future generations.