A Call to Action for World Bee Day – Tuesday, May 20th
Beekeeper Ayla here, upset about how I lost 50% of my honey bee colonies last year, when my normal is less than 10%. Last year, Beekeepers across the country are reporting losses of 60–80%, which has a huge effect on the beekeeping industry, and by extension, the bees’ ability to pollinate our food.
These are tough numbers to read—and even tougher to live through. But with World Bee Day on the horizon this Tuesday, May 20th, there’s an opportunity not just to raise awareness, but to inspire change. Because when we work together, we can accomplish great things.
The Sweet Role Bees Play in Our Ecosystem
Honey bees do far more than make honey. They are pollination powerhouses, responsible for 1 in every 3 bites of food we eat. From apples and blueberries to squash and sunflowers, bees are at the center of our plates—and our planet’s biodiversity.
Take almonds, for example. Each acre of almond trees produces 200 lbs of almonds without honey bees. With honey bees? That number jumps to 2,000 lbs per acre. Most almonds are grown in California’s Central Valley, where two-thirds of the country’s honey bee colonies are transported every February just for pollination. This scale of commercial pollination stresses bees and beekeepers alike.
What’s Behind the Bee Losses?
So why are we losing bees at such alarming rates?
There’s no single culprit, but there are three key pressures:
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Pesticides, particularly neonicotinoids (a class of insecticides used on lawns, gardens, and crops), which weaken bees’ immune systems and disorient them.
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Lack of diverse forage, as native plants are replaced by manicured lawns or monoculture farming.
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Commercial stress, as bees are trucked cross-country to service large-scale agriculture, exhausting their colonies.
For many beekeepers like me, this year was heartbreaking. But it’s also a wake-up call—and a chance to take action together.
How You Can Help Bees Thrive
1. Plant Native Flowers
Bees thrive on a diversity of nectar and pollen sources. Native plants are best adapted to your region and are a lifeline for local pollinators. Even a small patch of native wildflowers in your yard or on your balcony can make a difference.
2. Ditch the Neonicotinoids
Read the labels of your lawn and garden treatments carefully. Avoid any products with neonicotinoids (look for ingredients like imidacloprid, clothianidin, or thiamethoxam). Opt for organic or bee-friendly alternatives. Every unsprayed lawn is a safer place for bees.
3. Support Local & Organic Farmers
When we buy from local farms—especially those using organic or regenerative practices—we reduce the demand for massive monoculture crops that require migratory pollination. Local food systems are more resilient, less chemically dependent, and better for the bees.
Turning Loss Into Legacy
This year’s losses hurt. But they’ve also sparked a deeper conversation—about how we grow our food, how we care for our landscapes, and how we support the tiny creatures who keep our ecosystems in balance.
World Bee Day isn’t just a celebration. It’s a rallying cry. A reminder that even small choices—like planting a native flower, skipping a chemical spray, or shopping at a local farmer’s market—add up.
The bees are buzzing the alarm. Let’s listen. And more importantly, let’s act.
Together, We Can Build a Better Buzz
The health of bees is a reflection of our collective choices. And the good news? We have the power to choose wisely. For the bees. For our food. For our future.
So this World Bee Day, let’s recommit to protecting our pollinators. Let’s plant, support, and speak up.
Because when we work together, we really can accomplish great things.
