How You Can Help

Here's a list of things that you can do to help the bees, the environment and yourself.

* Plant a garden with local and native flowering plants. Plant a variety of native plants with overlapping bloom times. Bees are particularly attracted to yellow, blue and purple flowers. Some examples are: Russian Sage, Columbine, Daisies, Bee Balm, holly hocks, Sedum, Butterfly Bushes, Asters and Chrysanthemums. Some plants provide nectar, nectar and pollen or just pollen. Nectar is used to make honey and pollen is used to raise baby bees.

* Stop using pesticides and bug sprays. There are many natural methods to control pests in your garden. Many researchers believe pesticides are a contributing factor to Colony Collapse Disorder. Moreover, some insecticides are harmful to bees and wipe out flowers that provide bees with food. Encourage people to relax their standards a little and accept other green plants as "grass".

* Let the roadside flowers bloom - Let the dandelions grow. Dandelions are one of the first sources of protein pollen available in spring. Bees need this protein source in order to raise their babies, called brood. The dandelions can be mowed or removed right after the blooms finish or better still, leave them be.

* Encourage schools and city officials to involve children in creating bee habitats around their schools and parks.

* Petition governments to delay mowing road-side wildflowers until they stop blooming (i.e. later in summer). One of the yummiest flavoured honeys is Goldenrod honey produced from the wildflower goldenrod that blooms late in the season.

* Petition governments to create pesticide-free zones.

* Encourage golf-course operators to leave "wild zones" adjacent to play areas.

Visit www.pollinationcanada.ca and Serenata Flowers to learn more about flowers and pollination.