UNITED STATES — Happy World Bee Day! Every year on May 20, people, conservation organizations and industries practicing sustainable agriculture celebrate bees, the silent heroes tirelessly working to pollinate crops, flowers, plants and vegetation.
The annual event, World Bee Day, marks the birth anniversary of Anton Jansa, a pioneer of modern beekeeping, born in 1734 in Slovenia. Established by the United Nations in 2017, this day honors the significance of bees and other pollinators, according to the Planet Bee Foundation.
The Teton Regional Land Trust marked the day by posting on Facebook that “Nearly 90% of the world’s wild flowering plant species depend, entirely, or at least in part, on animal pollination, along with more than 75% of the world’s food crops.”
By pollinating wild plants, bees support the growth of forests, meadows and other natural habitats, thus helping other species to survive.
According to the Teton Regional Land Trust, the bee population is reducing significantly due to factors such as habitat loss, pesticide use and climate change. World Bee Day highlights the need to protect these essential creatures and promotes sustainable practices to protect their future.
Here are some tips from the United Nations on what can be done to aid pollinators:
- Plant a diverse set of native plants, which flower at different times of the year.
- Buy raw honey from local farmers.
- Buy products from sustainable agricultural practices.
- Avoid pesticides, fungicides or herbicides in gardens.
- Protect wild bee colonies when possible.
- Sponsor a hive.
- Make a bee water fountain by leaving a water bowl outside.
- Help sustain forest ecosystems.
- Raise awareness by sharing this information within the community.
