Category: save the bees

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Minnesota Offers Money for Residents to Create Bee-Friendly Lawns

Bee awareness has become engrained in popular culture in recent years, and for good reason – a dearth of our pollinating friends would spell disaster for humanity in terms of crop production and yields for years to come.

And if helping save the planet isn’t enough incentive, the state of Minnesota is willing to hand over some cash in exchange for its residents creating yards that are welcoming and sustaining for bees.

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20.06.2019 ''Ihr Zuckerwürfelchen, groß und klein, wir laden euch herzlich in unsern Garten ein. Kommt herbei von nah und fern, ihr seid willkommen, wir haben euch gern! Wir bieten euch Bettchen, Speis und Trank, für die reichlich Ernte ein herzlich Dank!'' Huch! Da ist mir doch glatt dieses kleine Bienchen während der gestrigen Eskalation im Gartencenter in den Einkaufwagen geflogen. Na sowas…wie konnte das bloß passieren? ? Wenn man einmal nicht aufpasst… Was mach ich denn jetzt? Ratlos stand ich nun da mit meinem Wagen und dem kleinen Bienchen. Zurückbringen? Aber wohin? Wo ist die Kleine überhaupt hergekommen? Mit hoffnungsvollem Blick schaute das kleine Bienchen über den Wagenrand ? Hierlassen oder gar am Straßenrand aussetzen? Oh nein! Das kleine Bienchen bricht in Tränen aus und flutet sogleich den Einkaufswagen ? Nein, das kann ich nicht über‘s Herz bringen. Mitnehmen? Was für eine Frage!?! Natürlich! Das kleine Bienchen hat doch überhaupt kein Zuhause mehr. Der Garten platzt zwar schon aus allen Nähten, aber für kleine fleißige Bienchen ist doch immer ein Plätzchen frei. Das war die beste Entscheidung! Seht euch die Kleine an…habt ihr schon mal so ein glückliches Bienchen gesehen? ? #bienenweide #wildbiene #wildbee #savethebees #beebetter #bienenwiese #wildblumen #wildflowers #natur #nature #bee #bees #biene #bienen #flower #gardening #insekt #insect #gardenlove #plant #vielfalthatimmersaison #garten #gartenliebe #blume #garden #gärtnern #flowerpower #spring #frühling #blumenliebe

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Legislators there recently passed a bill that was signed into law by Governor Tim Walz that sets aside an annual budget of $900k to be specifically used to help state residents convert their lawns into bee sanctuaries.

Specifically, they’re concerned about the safety and survival of the rusty patched bumblebee, a pollinator native to the Midwest that is in serious trouble – their numbers have declined by up to 87% in less than 20 years.

Once the law takes effect, people will be able to apply for financial assistance to convert their lawns, with 75% of the total cost covered – or up to 90% for projects specifically aimed at helping rusty patched bees.

The projects should be planted with “native vegetation and pollinator-friendly forbs and legumes,” according to the bill, including “undesirables” like white clover and dandelions.

They hope to put the bill into effect next spring, though there are some details (like who will handle the disbursement of funds) to figure out.

Minnesota isn’t the only place willing to go the extra mile when it comes to the bees, either – the UK has banned pesticides that are harmful to bees, and Holland has instituted “insect hotels” to be strategically placed in order to give bees a safe place to land.

If you’re wanting to do your part on your own dollar, have at it!

Just make sure your homeowner’s association is down with “weeds” in your “lawn.”

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6 Little Things You Can Start Doing Today to Save the Bees

Bees play a vital role in sustaining life on earth – over 20,000 species of bees around the world are essential pollinators for all kinds of crops. Unfortunately, bee populations have been declining steadily for several years now

“Populations are declining due to a variety of factors including human development, pesticides, disease, and a changing climate,” a representative from The Honeybee Conservancy  told Bored Panda.

If you’re concerned and want to do your part to help, below are 6 simple ideas that could make a difference for the bees in your yard – and beyond.

#1. Protect their habitat.

Image by Thomas Schiewer from Pixabay

Create gardens everywhere there’s green space – wildflowers can populate street corners, balconies, along roadways, and yes, in your backyard.

#2. Sponsor a hive.

Image by Alexas_Fotos from Pixabay

There are initiatives in many communities that build and install stocked honeybee hives and solitary bee homes. You can donate today to sponsor one or more habitats you don’t have to build or maintain. It’s a win for everyone!

#3. Create a bee bath.

Image by Cornelia Moore from Pixabay

Much like a bird bath, a shallow dish or container filled with clean water and pebbles or stones that poke out of the water is a great retreat for tired bees in the middle of a long workday.

#4. Plant trees.

Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay

It’s not just flowers that bees love – they also adore trees. Tree leaves and resin provide the nesting materials necessary for bees and many live in the trunks and thick limbs.

#5. Build a bee hotel.

Image Credit: Danie Ware

Most people associate bees with hive living, but the truth is that most bees are more solitary, with 70% living underground and 30% living in trees or hollow stems. You can find plans for a bee condo or bee hotel online and build your own if you want to attract pollinators to your yard.

#6. Avoid harmful pesticides.

Image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay

If you do have a garden, check the products you’re using to reduce pests. If the chemicals they contain are part of the neonicotinoid family, you’ll want to ditch them. Instead, check for organic options or try introducing natural predators like praying mantises or ladybugs to your space.

I’m off to do my part…as soon as spring finally gets here.

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