By Ali Clarke
With bees pollinating 90% of the world’s flowering plant species, and therefore responsible for one third of the foods in our diet, the last decade or so of declining bee numbers is a real source of concern. In countries such as China, workforces are being employed to do the work of bees, at a huge cost to the economy. Anyone who has had the pleasure of watching bees work can imagine the scale of this operation. Replicating this effort throughout the world is not only extremely costly, it should be simply unnecessary. Urban communities can, and must, play their part in encouraging and protecting our bees before it’s too late.
Keep up the good work
One of the most useful things urban farmers can do to protect bees is to look into beekeeping. There are currently around 120,000 beekeepers in the US, the majority of whom are enthusiastic amateurs. You may not have the time or space to invest in commercial beekeeping, which usually requires around 300 hives, but most farms will be able to accommodate the 25 or so hives which a hobbyist beekeeper would usually have. Ensure that you take your beekeeping equipment seriously so that you are well protected and able to enjoy the experience.
Flower power
In cities around the world, conservation, gardening and civic groups are joining forces to plant flowers to attract and nurture bees and other pollinators. As an owner of your own portion of land, you have the ability to contribute to the effort by planting colorful flowers which will appeal to bees. Whether it’s lavender, wisteria or sunflowers, choose the plants which you most enjoy or which grow best in your area, and designate a little space to them. Your premises will look brighter and cheerier for it too.
Responsible pest control
While pesticides such as nicotinoids have received some of the blame for the declining bee populations, scientists have found that it’s not that straightforward. The insects metabolize enzymes at different rates, which affects their reaction to them. You will no doubt have come to your own view on the responsible use of pesticides; suffice to say, it’s worth checking to see how any product you use will affect bees, and minimizing risks where you can.
The declining numbers of bees are a global concern; without them, the world’s food production will soon grind to a halt. Thankfully, urban farmers are in a position to be able to help. By investing a little resource into beekeeping, planting colorful attractive flowers, and managing pesticide use responsibly, urban farmers can make a powerful difference. Even better, it’s a joy to watch these industrious creatures work their magic.
