Save the Bees
From news headlines to going viral on Tik Tok, it would seem that bees are having a moment. And, for good reason. As one of the most significant pollinator species in the world, bees are fundamental to maintaining widespread environmental health, as well as playing a crucial role in supporting our food systems and the planet as we know it. In Australia, over ⅔ of the food we eat relies on honeybee pollination, while our native bees (who don't generally produce honey) are essential to the survival of our native plants But, like so many of our precious and life-sustaining plant and animal species, bees are under threat like never before.
According to Save the bees Australia, this quarter’s ‘For the Planet’ donation recipient, “the state of beekeeping around the world is in calamity and close to a state of disaster.” Along with the usual suspects of climate change and the use of damaging insecticides and pesticides, global bee populations are suffering from a range of different threats, including:
Colony Collapse Disorder - when the majority of bees vacate their hive, leaving behind their queen, immature bees, and large honey supplies. This is an abnormal, but increasing occurrence and there is no clear understanding around why this occurs.
Varroa Mites - a parasite that enters the hive on the bodies of honeybees and feeds on, weakens, and kills colonies. These mites have reached every continent in the world except Australia and as a major exporter of bees, we’re in a unique position to help repopulate bee colonies globally with healthy bees.
Australian bee populations are also at risk from the widespread practice of monoculture farming, which leads to reduced biodiversity and soil degradation and increases the risk of bee populations being wiped out if the plant species being farmed encounters pest or disease, as well as honey tampering.
Things certainly aren't looking great for our bees, but thankfully, social enterprise Save the Bees Australia has been galvanising like-minded people to advocate for the bees since its inception in 2014. The community has been so effective in its advocacy that we have seen imported honey removed from Australian supermarket shelves and Bayers confidor neonicotinoids also removed from sale. In addition to their advocacy work, Save the Bees Australia are also heavily focussed on education, particularly in Kindergartens and schools, and their social media accounts and website are filled with educational info and tips to help us all become better allies for our honey making friends. They are also the creators of a fantastic free resource that connects consumers with local beekeepers, helping to support not only these small businesses, but also ensuring that honey lovers are only getting the good stuff.
For the final quarter of 2021, we were honoured to be able to donate $2,682.93 to Save the Bees Australia, and to play a small part in supporting their incredible work protecting one of the most important species for our continued survival on earth.
Want to become a bee protector yourself? Save the Bees have a range of suggestions for you to get involved and ‘Bee the Cure’:
Support and encourage local beekeepers and small producers by buying local raw honey using the Save the bees Honey Map.
Make your garden or balcony more bee friendly using these tips.
Become a beekeeper (or find out if a hive can be managed on your property), or build a bee hotel in your neighbourhood.
Care for local bees by growing herbs and letting them flower, provide drinking water, grow an insect friendly garden and learn to love weeds, and stop using toxic herbicides and neonicotinoid insecticides.
Shop local, seasonal, and organic, when you can. Get to know the people behind your food and what practices your money goes to support. Farmers markets are an excellent way to source these foods, and support your local farmers and small businesses.
Plus, if you’d also like to donate to the cause and support the work of Save the Bees Australia, you can do so here.
