Small urban gardens can still make a big difference for bees and other pollinators. A new study published in the Journal of Applied Ecology this month found that the amount of nectar produced by gardens in a UK city was not contingent upon their size. “Most of the nectar produced in gardens is by a […]
“Save the bees!” You’ve heard this call to action before, but what’s the buzz really about? Turns out, bees are incredibly important in nature and in human food production. According to an EarthDay.Org report, there are more than 20,000 distinct bee species worldwide. In the U.S., there are native bees (more than 4,000 species) and […]
By Malia Libby The insect world’s version of the ultramarathon is now taking place across the United States. Monarch butterflies have started their journey to the groves where they’ll spend the winter. Monarchs west of the Rocky Mountains have a long trip to the California coast before them, while eastern monarchs have a hefty 3,000-mile […]
The mysterious deaths of 63 endangered African penguins are being attributed to an unusual cause — bee stings. The birds were found dead Friday morning on a beach outside of Cape Town, South Africa, according to AFP and a South African National Parks (SANParks) Table Mountain National Park Facebook Post. “After tests, we found bee […]
By Andrea Germanos Environmental and food safety advocates highlighted Thursday the decline in iconic pollinators following new analyses released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency showing three widely used neonicotinoid insecticides are “likely to adversely affect” the majority of the endangered plants and animals the agency assessed. “Now the EPA can’t ignore the fact that […]
Ornamental plant nurseries — with their high concentration of different flowers — are an important food source for pollinators. In fact, University of California (UC), Riverside entomologists Jacob Cecala and Erin E. Wilson Rankin counted more than 150 species of wild bees at nurseries in California alone. Despite this, very little research has been done […]
It is clear that the world’s pollinators are under threat. A 2019 study found that almost half of all insects have disappeared since 1970 and 41 percent of insect species are at risk of extinction. Further, one in six bee species have gone locally extinct in at least one area, as AFP pointed out. But […]
In Germany, hope is growing for wild bees and insects. Surprisingly, it’s taking root in the country’s large urban cities, thanks to wildflower meadows being planted precisely to reverse precipitous declines in insect populations. Insects around the world are in danger. A 2020 study published in Science estimated that global bug populations are down 25 […]
After a year of learning from behind a screen, it’s time for some outdoor play this summer. It’s widely accepted that spending time in nature has unparalleled benefits for children; kids who play outdoors are happier, more attentive, and less anxious than those who spend more time indoors. Being in nature builds confidence and creativity, […]