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The U.S. has lost over 50 percent of its managed honeybee colonies in the past 10 years¹.

Scientists believe contributing factors include parasites, diseases and exposure to pesticides. A reduction of plant diversity due to commercial agriculture and habitat loss may also be affecting honeybees’ ability to get the full range of nutrients from more limited sources of nectar and pollen².

More recently, climate change and natural disasters have put even more pressure on honey bee colonies³.

Hurricane Ian impacted an estimated 1 in 7 U.S. bee hives, destroying more than 80,000 colonies⁴.

Florida is the fourth-largest honey producer in the nation⁵, but hurricane Ian has forced bee farmers to change plans. Their only focus now is on survival.

Researchers at the University of Florida estimate that at least 380,000 bee colonies have been impacted by hurricane Ian⁴, though it’s still not clear how many hives were completely destroyed.

One of the best ways to save the bees from your own backyard by growing plants that bloom and produce pollen and nectar, like mint, basil, sunflowers, marigolds and others⁶.

About 50 crops grown in the U.S. depend on pollinators, including apples, almonds, blueberries, citrus, melons, pears, plums, pumpkins and squash. Most people know that bees are responsible for pollination, but not everyone understands just how important that responsibility is. In fact, one out of every three bites of your food is dependent on pollinators like honeybees⁷.

Help make every backyard in the United States a welcoming home for bees, and build a more resilient food system for all by pledging to become a Pollinator Protector!