Honey Bee Losses for Winter 2013/2014

According to the latest survey results from the Bee Informed Partnership, honey bees fared better this past winter than the previous winter.  Commercial beekeepers reported losing 23.2% of their colonies over the winter of 2013/2014 versus a loss of 30.5% for the previous winter. This volume of loss is still not acceptable, however, with beekeepers in this survey reporting 19% as…

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Planning Your Pollinator Garden: Native Perennials for Bees

As you plan your landscape this year, why not include a pollinator garden to help challenged bees?   The truth is, a pollinator garden will attract and support many species beyond bees, and will also improve the overall health of your ecosystem. I suggest that you include signage in your pollinator garden (Xerces Society is one good source) and make a…

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“Wildlife Matters” Landscaping Conference at The Native Plant Center

The dramatic decline of many of our common species has been an environmental wake up call.   The Monarch butterfly population is crashing, honey bees and many native bee species are experiencing record losses, and the 20 most common bird species have dropped by an average of 68% in the past 45 years (National Audubon Society).  These iconic species are…

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