Tomorrow is World Honey Bee Day- a day to recognize the importance of honey bees and the beekeepers who help maintain our bee population. Bees are one of the most efficient pollinators on the planet, each visiting over 2,000 flowers a day. They are responsible for approximately 1/3 of our diet, pollinating the fruits, vegetables and nuts that we eat and feed to the livestock we harvest. Not to mention, they pollinate the cotton used to make much of our clothing, plants used in common medicine, and produce over 160 million pounds of honey each year in the US alone. Clearly, bees play a very important role in our ecosystem.

However, the number of bees is declining substantially each year. On average, we are seeing over a billion fewer bees year over year. Although the cause is undetermined, one of the leading theories is a class of pesticides called neonicotinoids which are used to prevent common agriculture crop pests. At Terramera, we know the value of these powerful pollinators and are doing our part to protect them by developing safer, more effective plant-based replacements to toxic chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.

There are steps you can take to positively contribute to the well-being of the bee population as well:

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1. Plant Pollinator Friendly Flowers: Provide a safe habitat for bees by planting flowers in your yard and garden for them to forage. Lilacs, lavender, mint, sage, sunflowers, rosemary, and honeysuckles are all great options depending on the season.
   
   
2. Let the Lawn Go Wild: A lawn full of clover and dandelions is heaven for honey bees. Leaving your lawn a little more “natural” will attract pollinators and cut back on your yard work!
   
   
3. Buy Local Honey: Buying from local, organic beekeepers is the best way to support their hard work and ensure their hive continues to thrive. Look for “pure” and “raw” on the label or visit your farmers market to buy it from the farmer firsthand.
   
   
4. Avoid Toxic Chemical Pesticides: Refuse to use harsh chemicals on your lawn and garden. Opt for a natural alternative instead and protect any bees that pay you a visit.
   
   
5. Learn More: Educate yourself and those around you on the importance of bees. Bees are here to help, not hurt, and by better understanding them we can better protect them!

These simple steps will help defend the honey bee population, ensure their survival and their continued contribution to our ecosystem.

Happy World Honey Bee Day from the Terramera Team!