Become a pollinator ally, not only for environmental health but also for your health!
Human health relies on pollinators such as native bees, butterflies, birds, bats, insects, and other beneficials,
and they rely on plants and nature, and us.
Watch for this symbol!
SGCN = Species of Greatest Conservation Need
This bee, or a bee in this family, is at risk.
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) Conservation Action Plan
Create a bee hotel
If you install a “bee hotel” in your garden, it will soon be filled with busy leafcutter females building nests. Bee blocks are a great way to create nesting homes for leafcutter bees. Make sure holes are drilled 6 inches deep to encourage development of female bees. Mother leafcutters place female eggs deep and male eggs closer to the entrance. More info on bee walls, habitats and nesting blocks.
Check out these easy ways to save bees!
From The Bee Conservancy.
- Plant a bee garden. Bees need a safe habitat to nest, and food sources with plants rich in pollen and nectar. Provide habitat in gardens and yards, on roofs, in window boxes, flower pots, and planters; create bee corridors by connecting to nearby gardens or to pollinator pathways.
- Create a bee bath. Bees get thirsty while foraging. Fill a shallow bird bath or bowl with clean water; create landing spots with stones or floating wood to break the water surface.
- Provide trees for bees. Bees get most of their nectar from trees, which provide thousands of blossoms. Trees are an essential habitat that provide nest material (leaves, resin) and shelter (natural wood cavities).
- Build homes for native bees. Most native bees are solitary; 70% live underground; 30% live in cavities of trees or plants. Provide habitat by leaving an untouched plot of land in your garden. Make or purchase a “bee condo” with small tube “apartments.”
- Go chemical-free for bees. Avoid synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, and neonicotinoids. Instead, use organic products and natural solutions, and add beneficial insects like ladybugs and praying mantises to help keep pests away.
- Become a citizen scientist. Use the iNaturalist app and add to the global collection of data on pollinators. Upload your pictures, questions, or observations, and discuss them with fellow naturalists.
- Teach tomorrow’s bee stewards. Inspire the next generation of eco citizens with guides, lessons, and activities to get them buzzed about bees! Educators are welcome to use our collection of free resources to bring nature and ecology into the classroom.
- Support local environmental organizations. Encourage your HOA and community to promote pollinator habitats, although they may appear a bit more wild than the usual mowed/trimmed urban landscapes. You can donate time, resources, or money to local environmental groups to help their programs grow.
The Wild and Wonderful World of Bees by Dr. Laurence Packer
Dr. Laurence Packer is a melittologist and Professor of Biology at York University. He and his team: have described over 170 new species of bees; published over 200 research papers related to sociobiology, conservation, genetics, phylogenetics, biogeography, and taxonomy; and have a collection of several hundred thousand specimens from over 100 countries. His books include “Keeping The Bees: Why All Bees Are At Risk And What We Can Do To Save Them”; and “Bees: A Close-up Look At Pollinators Around The World” with Sam Droege.
