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Each month our Bee Informed Blog highlights current news, science, and research related to solitary bee conservation, food insecurity, and sustainability.1. We haven't seen a quarter of known bee species since the 1990s This article published by National Geographic highlights the findings of a study published in the journal One Earth which reveals that in recent decades, the number of bee species reported in the wild has declined globally - roughly a 25% reduction of spotted species betwe …

Native plants are plants that have evolved over hundreds or thousands of years in particular regions or ecosystems. In the United States, only plants found in this country before European settlement are considered native. Native plants provide numerous benefits:Native plants provide nectar, pollen, and seeds that serve as food for native insects, birds, and other animals.Non-natives do not always provide the necessary nutrients for our native animals to thrive.Native plants can help you sa …

Each month our Bee Informed Blog highlights current news, science, and research related to solitary bee conservation, food insecurity, and sustainability.1. How You Can Help Count and Conserve Native Bees New York Times - The U.S. National Native Bee Monitoring Research Coordination Network (RCN). This project, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and led by a team of researchers from U.C. Riverside, is a new approach to monitoring native bees. From 2020-2023, native bee biologists …

Each month our Bee Informed Blog highlights current news, science, and research related to solitary bee conservation, food insecurity, and sustainability.1. Why bees are critical for achieving sustainable development.  Ambio: A Journal of the Human Environment - This article explores bees' contributions towards achieving the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are the blueprint for achieving a better, more sustainable future for all people on the planet. The …

Did you know there are over 20,000 known bee species globally, and 4,000 of those species live in North America? The smallest, Perdita minima, is less than two millimeters long! Each species is unique and pollinates different plants at different times. For instance, mason bee species are essential for blueberry and raspberry pollination, while squash bees are the best for squash and pumpkins. While not every bee you see is a super-pollinator, all of them combined are important in helping …