The Buzz Around Town
This week I had the opportunity to visit a horticultural centre called Horticultural Centre of the Pacific. They are a year-round educational botanical garden that prioritizes environmental stewardship. While wandering amongst the numerous flower beds, native plant gardens, and specialty displays I noticed a large patch of heather. Upon closer inspection the heather patch was alive with the sound of…..bees! My partner and I stopped, me to attempt to take photos of the rapidly moving creatures and he just to observe.
A Western Honey Bee sprays pollen as it lands at the Horticultural Centre of the Pacific on Saturday March 16, 2024. (EcoAngle Photography/Jamie Hellard)
The happiness of the bee and the dolphin is to exist. For man it is to know that and to wonder at it.
-Jacques Yves Cousteau
He noticed that there were several species of bee, Western Honey Bees, Mixed Bumble Bees, and Yellow-Faced Bumble Bees. We stayed in this spot for nearly half an hour observing as these tiny creatures swooped and swirled about performing one of natures most important functions when measured in terms of human survival.
A Western Honey Bee flies into land at the Horticultural Centre of the Pacific on Saturday March 16, 2024. (EcoAngle Photography/Jamie Hellard)
As I watched people hurry by the bush in fright upon noticing the many bees swarming it a question began to form in my mind. As a child, like most, I was terrified of bees. While I eventually learned that they meant me no harm a tendency to fear these tiny creatures lingers into adulthood for many. For some this is a valid fear, anyone with a bee allergy can attest to the validity of their aversion! However, for the majority of individuals an already improbable bee sting would mean little more than a few minutes of moderate pain. The collapse of bees as a species on the other hand would have a deep and lasting effect on each and every human alive. Bees are one of the most prolific pollinators on the planet. They pollinate 70 of the 100 crop species that feed 90% of the world! Moreover bees are responsible for many of the foods that provide vital vitamins and minerals to human diets. A world without bees could very well mean a world without humanity, or at least without humanity as we know it.
So why is it that many individuals are scared enough of the potential pain inflicted by a single bee to take immediate action, yet not intimidated enough by the potential utter turmoil of species collapse? This is of course a multi factor query that I don’t know enough psychology to accurately parse out, but it is interesting to ponder.
A Western Honey Bee flutters near heather at the Horticultural Centre of the Pacific on Saturday March 16, 2024. (EcoAngle Photography/Jamie Hellard)
Don’t worry though, in exchange for the existentialism-ridden paragraph above I have some good news! The actions you can take to help keep bees happy and health are not only quite simple, many are fun too! If you are feeling inspired, here are a few ways to help our bee friends, and in turn ourselves as well.
Plant for Pollinators! -Use native plants -Plant in clusters to create a target for your bees -Plant for continuous bloom from spring to fall
Support local bees (& beekeepers!) -Purchase local and organic honey to double your impact for those who buzz!
Hit up your local farmers market -Small organic farms that grow a variety of crops are a pollinator’s paradise!!
Create habitats for resting bees -Many bees live underground, not in hives, leave bits of ground bare, or leave small bits of wood
Install Bee Baths -Bee baths are shallow pools of water with colourful objects on which bees can rest. Bees need ample H20 to survive so make sure you have some available!
There are lots of little actions that you can do to make a tangible difference in the lives of your local bees!
Until next time, yours in words and photos,
Jamie
Resources:
https://www.pollinator.org/7things
https://www.alveole.buzz/5-things-you-can-do-to-help-all-pollinators-not-just-honey-bees/