What's all the buzz?

In recent years, many bee species have ended up on the endangered species list. Although there is no single, clear cut reason that bee populations are dropping, scientists have several theories. Pesticides, and other chemicals used in farming, have a detrimental effect on bees. Not only are they poisonous, but they limit the number of crops that bees are able to pollinate, therefore limiting their food supply. Farming and industrialization are also harmful to bees because their habitat is often destroyed. Additionally, bees kept by beekeepers are more vulnerable to diseases as they are kept in much closer spaces than they would be in nature. Lastly, uneducated beekeepers will order bees online while beginning their hives, and will inadvertently hurt local species by bringing in species that are not native to the are, therefore bringing in dangerous competition. Essentially, humans have a major impact on the survival of other species and bees could soon be gone if humans do not make a change.

Initially, we chose this project because of a deep interest in our local pollinators. Bees are everywhere and often overlooked or misjudged. We realized and appreciated the disastrous effects that the extinction of bees would have on our own lives. Hence, we decided to dedicate our junior year to helping the bees as much as possible.