Bees Love Trees

Like many people, I had a general understanding of the role of bees as pollinators and threats they are facing today. However, Dr. Sheila Colla’s Let It Bee presentation deepened my understanding of wild (native) bees versus honey bees which are cultivated and have been imported from Europe. I walked away learning concrete steps I can take to support native bees in my community!

Can you tell a wild (native) bee from a honey bee? Did you know there’s a difference? Despite their importance, wild bees face unprecedented threats and urban habitats are proving more and more important for their populations. Fortunately there are some simple things you can do to help these vital pollinators!

Bees and wasps are familiar (and important) creatures that are a mainstay of the outdoor world. There is great diversity in this group of insects, but many of us are not familiar with what makes a bee a bee and a wasp a wasp. Read on to learn a little more about how you can tell the difference and hear about one of LEAF’s recent encounters.

In the words of punk music icon Joe Strummer, “If you’re after getting the honey, then you don’t go killing all the bees.” This tune always runs through my mind when I read about Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) – a phenomenon in which bees abruptly die off in such numbers that there are not enough left to support the colony.