Did you know there’s a problem that’s causing a ton of buzz? A few years ago, reports came in about the bee population and how they’re dying at an alarming rate. According to a study from the University of Vermont, from 2008 to 2013 the bee population suffered a 23% decline in the United States. And this problem is happening worldwide. Since then, various groups have attempted to help keep the bee population alive and well.
Why is it important to protect bees? For starters, if we didn’t have bees we wouldn’t have the food or plants we need to survive. Bees are a crucial part of our ecosystem and their survival is important to us all.
Thankfully, a solution can be as simple as adding flowers to a bus stop! Utrecht in the Netherlands has come up with a bee-utiful way to makeover 300 homes for bees. By giving their local bus stops an eco-friendly makeover with flowers and succulents, they create homes for bees while supporting biodiversity around the city. Plus, these setups capture fine dust and collect rainwater as well as attract butterflies. Not only is this attractive solution helping to revive two-thirds of the more than 300 endangered bee species in the country, but it’s also helping to combat air pollution—one of the leading causes of deaths there.
One unique way to help combat this global problem was to train out-of-work coal miners in West Virginia as beekeepers—something we looked at here. If you and your family want to bee helpful in your own community, check out things you can do here and here! Remember, bees help provide resources we need to survive so “bee aware” of how you can help.
Bees and Bus Stops
the Dutch city of Utrecht is taking steps to help the bees by covering the roofs of more than 300 bus stops with plants.
Let us know in the comments what steps you’re taking to help the bees! And remember, if you’re not a Norwex Movement member, we’d love for you to join us today! Together, we’re learning to reduce harmful chemicals in our homes through small, conscious choices that help our families and our world.Resources:
I wish they did this in my local area
I’d be concerned that the bus fumes would be harmful to the the bees.
Did you know that bees are not the only pollinators? We need to be mindful to provide natural habitat for all native species.
Great point, Nancy, thanks for sharing! According to https://ento.psu.edu/pollinators/resources-and-outreach/what-are-pollinators-and-why-do-we-need-them “many different animals, including other insects (other bee species, butterflies, beetles, flies), some birds and some bats are pollinators.”
This would be great for many flat top roofs.