MAKING 2017 A YEAR FOR THE BEES!!!
How did it get so late so soon? Its night before its afternoon. December is here before its June.
My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?
Yes another year has gone by. You know that if you are over 40, they just start flying by faster than we can keep up with them.
We are moving into a time where there is a lot of conversation about what it happening with our Honey Bees and Pollinators, and now is also the time for ACTION!!
We can sit around all day, day after day, talkiing about what is happening, but this is the time that we must ACT and do what we know to do. We must begin teaching, old and young, about our "Wonderful World of Pollinators"
If we do not, the consequences will be great.
When I speak to a group or individuals about the Honey Bee, they usually are amazed at how the honey bee lives and the fact that 1 out of every 3 bites of food that we consume, is the work of a pollinator. I have to admit, after many years of Beekeeping, some of the facts still amaze me.
I would like to share just a little about what we can each do for our pollinators.
In April of 2016, a group of members of the Union County NC Beekeeper's Association approached the Public Works Department of our county. We've all seen the county or state workers mowing public properties each summer and we've all seen other areas where there are beautiful flowers growing in areas that were previously mowed.
Our Beekeeper's Assocation attended a monthly meeting of the UC Public Works Department and asked them if there were any areas, that they could identify, that were being mowed now, but that could possible be planted in bee friendly forage?
They identified several areas, one of which was a landfill area that would never again be opened up and that was continually having to be mowed several times a summer, year after year. Several of our group visited this site and a plan was born to plant bee friendly forage that would reduce mainanence and provide for our pollinators.
In the Summer/Fall of 2016, the Union County Extension Master Gardeners also got involved with this project.
I was not sure if there would be enough motivation to complete this program, but due to several concerned board member of Union County Public Works and a dedicated Extension Agent in Union County, the project progressed.
I am HAPPY and THRILLED to anounce that this section of landfill is now planted with Ladino clover. (a perennial white clover that is excellent pollinator forage) Perennial meaning that it will come back every year and will require very little maintenance once it is establisted.
THIS IS HUGE FOR OUR POLLINATORS AND HUGE FOR UNION COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA!!!
Just think if more counties would follow this practice? We humans are depleting pollinator forage areas at a rate that has never happened before. Huge areas of land are being bull-dozed for sub-divisions all over the state of NC and thoughout the US. Forest areas that contain vital pollen and nectar sources for our pollinators.
By replanting areas, such as landfill areas, roadside areas or local parks, we can start giving back to our pollinators, what we have so greedly destroyed and taken aways from them.
The Next Step......to EDUCATE, EDUCATE, EDUCATE!!!!!
Let other know about the project and that they too can help! Helping to bring awarness to counties and schools by speading this information. Getting other teachers and educators involved in our local schools and encouraging teaching and planting in the classrooms.
For Union County, we are applying for a "BEE COUNTY USA" status.
What can you do in your county or city to promote awareness of our pollinators?
What can you do in your own backyard?
We can all do a little and collectively it can amount to BIG changes and acomplishments!!
I am available to speak professionally to your group! See my Professonal Speaking page.
Educating about bees, one blog at a time.