Rhett A. Butler for Mongabay
Bees are ace pollinators!
When most people think of bees they think of honeybees. They may not even know that there are other kinds of bees in the world. But there ARE!
Honey bees are native to Asia, Northern Africa, and Europe. But there are at least 20,000 other species of bees in the world! Some are green, some are blue, some are black, and some are striped. Some bees are stingless.
Bees help pollinate the plants of Earth, providing a vital ecosystem service that we humans rely on!
Bees help our food grow. How can we help bees?
This is how you can help take care of our bees
- BEEcome aware. Learn about bees and the threats they face.
- BEE kind. Don’t use pesticides when possible.
- BEE supportive. Bees need flowers and places to nest. Provide habitat for bees in your garden or local park. Nurture or plant a flower meadow. And build a bee hotel!
Bee resources
Museum of the Earth virtual bee exhibit: https://www.museumoftheearth.org/bees
Amazing bee photographs from USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab:
A great resource on honey bees from ASU Ask a Biologist: Bee Bonanza
Excellent bee activity book about bees of Oregon and how they help make food, from foodhero.org, OSU, and other partners
Bee celebration events!
May 20: World Bee Day
UN: World Bee Day information
Official World Bee Day website
June 19-25: Pollinator Week
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Written and designed by Megan Strauss for Mongabay Kids
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