What can I do to help the bees?

Ten ways you can support bees (without becoming a beekeeper)

Raise awareness!

Talk with your friends, family, classmates or coworkers about bees and why they are important. Discussing the benefits of pollinators, as well as the honey and wax they produce, can take the sting out of public fear of bees. Help spread the word that bees are crucial to human survival!

Support native bees!

North American bees, such as bumblebees (bombus), mason bees (osmia), and stingless bees (trigona), are not commonly managed to control pests and diseases, and the survival of some of these species is under threat. These native pollinators are even more ecologically vital than European honeybees (apis), which were introduced by humans around 500 years ago.

Plant a bee garden!

Bees travel several miles from their hive to gather pollen and nectar, so by planting bee friendly species you can help support bee populations for miles around! Bees benefit from wildflowers, lupines, salvia, Russian sage, lavender, cilantro, thyme, fennel, aster, geranium, vitex, boxwood, holly... and don't forget the trees! Southern magnolia, cherry, redbud, locust, tupelo, and tulip trees are good for bees, as well as fruit trees (apple, crabapple, peach, pear, orange, etc.).

Make a bee bath!

Place a shallow birdbath in your flowerbed and fill it to the water surface with small stones or glass marbles, so the bees can have a perch from which to drink without drowning. Bees need access to water every day, just like we do.

Avoid toxic pesticides!

Bees are highly sensitive to the toxins in common pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. Neonicotinoids are particularly problematic, but other common pesticides such as the ones that line your local garden center's shelves are also deadly to bees. Do a little research to find out which products to avoid and which products are safer. Help spread the word!

Teach the next generation!

Through documentaries, educational programs, guided experiences at local parks and zoos, public education demonstrations, and fun activities, we can get kids buzzed about bees!

Hold a fundraiser!

Contact us for opportunities to volunteer and help our organization support the bees, or you can host a #BeeTheSolution fundraiser to support the Bee Conservancy!

Support your local beekeeper!

Buy your honey directly from a local beekeeper to get the best quality honey and support your local economy. Sadly, most honey on your grocery store shelf has been filtered, blended with honeys from other countries, and adulterated with cheaper substitutes, and even labels that show a local address often cannot be trusted. The only way to really know where your honey comes from is to buy it straight from the beekeeper.

Support bee groups in your area!

Some of the important work of ensuring the survival of bees is happening in local organizations like ours, as well as beekeeping clubs like Central Oklahoma Beekeepers Association (COBA), and advocacy organizations like the Bee Conservancy. You don't have to be a beekeepers to get involved.

Bee an activist!

Attend your local city council meetings, send emails and make phone calls to remind your city council and your legislators that bees need protection and that some of our native bee species are under threat of extinction. Start a petition or organize a phone campaign in your community. Public petitions have been instrumental in protecting bees and other pollinators.

DWM 5/27/21