Bees are in crisis and need YOUR help!
This year Hurricane Ian struck Florida and left an ecological disaster in its wake. In addition to the substantial damage to homes and businesses, this massive storm wiped out much of the natural forage used to feed pollinators, leaving the bee populations who did survive at risk of starving. Losing these colonies would permanently wreak havoc on our country's food supply. This is why you need to know these three reasons to give a buzz about bees:
1. Honeybees are responsible for about 1/3 of food eaten by Americans
Bees are responsible for pollinating 75% of the world's flowering plants and 35% of the world’s crops. That means we have bees to thank for one out of every three bites of food!
Honey bees are the most common pollinator and most important bee to domestic agriculture; a single colony can pollinate 3 million flowers per day. The price tag for the bees’ work is estimated to be between 235 to 577 billion dollars a year!
Up close photo of Honeybee on a black mirrored surface.
© Dadant & Sons
2. Without bees, the food chain would deteriorate
Bees are vital to our ecosystem. Research shows that over 100,000 species of plants would become extinct if the pollinating function of bees was to cease. This includes apples, melons, cranberries, pumpkins, squash, broccoli, and many more. Without bees, you can say goodbye to many of your favorite foods!
The importance of bees explained through Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which include quantity and quality of food, nutrition and medicine, inclusive communities, biofuels, forest conservation and regrowth, health and diverse ecosystems, economic opportunities, and innovation and inspiration.
© Patel, V., Pauli, N., Biggs, E. et al.
3. No bees, no honey!
Not only would our plates be bland, but losing bees would mean losing a vital element of traditional medicine-- honey! Honey can be used as a natural antibiotic and antimycotic along with treating burns, sore throats, wounds, etc. Without honey and all its benefits, our whole world will be significantly less sweet!
Want to Help the Bees?
Greater Good Charities is helping to feed the bees in Florida after the devastation of Hurricane Ian has left over a billion bees hungry. Greater Good Charities’ Project Peril and GOODS programs are working with local partners like the Florida State Beekeepers Association and the Florida Beekeepers Research Foundation Inc. to rush emergency supplies of sugar syrup and pollen directly to Florida.
Bee Boxes floating in water due to the destruction of Hurricane Ian.
©Florida State Beekeepers Association
You can help keep colonies sustained while honey bee forage material regrows. With your help, Greater Good Charities will provide over 400,000 pounds of sugar syrup, as well as 77,750 pounds of pollen replacement to help these essential creatures make a full recovery from the storm. Every dollar helps, and a tax-deductible gift of just $15 will feed a hive of bees for 2 months.
