A recent article in the Financial Times, “The Bees Needs”(8-22-09), focuses on how important habitat and non human life is to human existence.
“There are thousands of species of bee but the honey bee is the most important because, as well as producing honey, its pollination is a vital part of the production of a third of our diet, including tomatoes, coffee, apples, grapes
(and therefore wine)”
It’s easy for urbanites with all resources available within miles of their homes to lose focus on how nature helps our food sources be available.
Next time you go to a coffee shop for coffee or have a salad and a glass of wine at dinner, think bees. These delicacies are largely because of them.
But, “sadly this…creature is struggling worldwide (due to) climate change, pests, disease, and a decline in wildflowers due to intensive agricultural practices.
So how can we help the honey bee do it’s job:
-Plant pollen and nectar rich plants in your gardens and yards.
-Maybe replace some of that grass in your yard with a small cubicle of wild flowers that attract bees such as:
aubretia, lavender, cornflowers, oakleaf hydrangea, ice plants, asters, and perhaps ivy and heather(Important to note that this article was written with Britain in mind so climates different from Britain will need different wildflowers-Your local organic garden store or ag center can surely point you in the right direction)
-Encourage your local governments to “plant our parks and streets with pollen and nectar-rich trees, such as limes”
While riding in your car on the way home, pause to observe nature and remember that it too has a place on the Earth and often times can aid making our time on Earth more enjoyable
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