The impact bees have on our society often goes unnoticed. Although many simply picture annoying garden pests bent on stinging innocent people when they think of bees, their job is a very intricate and detailed craft that plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of ecosystems around the world.
By supporting conservation efforts dedicated to preserving the habitats of bees, people have an opportunity to demonstrate how much they care for the world around them. According to an article by the World Wildlife Fund, a nonprofit group dedicated to endangered species conservation:
“You might even say that bees are unsung climate heroes, especially when it comes to their role in preserving the health of threatened ecosystems and grasslands […] The multitude of bees and other pollinators that help keep grasslands healthy are essential partners in maintaining a stable climate.”
While bees are an important part of global ecosystems, the art of beekeeping itself is no walk in the park. There are many minute parts about beekeeping that no one notices from the outside. Most Americans consume honey, the fruit of their labor, but still have no idea the intricacies of beekeeping. According to Tim Muehleisen, Westminster Dean of students and avid bee keeper:
“I like watching them come and go from the hives. Like it’s just the business and you see all that. I like being in there when you see different colors of pollen coming. You can tell which trees are blooming based on the colors, like sometimes there’s just super bright colors in the color. […] Different pollens from different trees have different colors, even the honey has different colors super light and super dark. So yeah, you get to kind of interact with what’s going on in the world around you.”
Bees’ efforts in preserving the ecosystem have been helping for centuries. Bees have always been helping with the environment even if people do not notice role they play. Without bees, there would be far less flowers and plant life around us. Bees are a key piece in keeping the environment ready for transitions like spring and summer.
Most people rarely notice just how much an insect can change our environment. According to an article denoting the impact of bees on the environment by the United Nations Environment Program:
“When animals and insects pick up the pollen of flowers and spread it, they allow plants, including many food crops, to reproduce. Birds, rodents, monkeys and even people pollinate, but the most common pollinators are insects, and among them, bees.”
Bees and other animals who contribute by pollinating flowers can help reduce issues with crop cultivation in dry areas. They help to fertilize plants native to arid environments because they can carry pollen across vast distances. Muehleisen continues:
“The first time when I I visit full strength that’s intimidating a really strong habit, like, right now, in the wintertime, the hives I have about 10,000 bees, and it’s in there actually the winter bees are pretty calm and we don’t get in them very often, like Monday on our nice day, I’ll probably go get in a couple hours but and they’re very temperate, but in the peak of summer in July when they’re at full full strength and it’s warm and they’re doing things, it’s intimidating to, like, you realize how many, just how many pieces are it’s a lot.”
Rather than writing bees off as garden pests, people should recognize how bees reinforce the health of the environment. The labor of bees promotes healthy activities outdoors, and cultivates an overall more positive community. In conclusion people should appreciate the crucial role bees play in cultivating the world around us and bee intentional about supporting conservation efforts to protect our stripy little friends.
