Xerces Society

The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation is an international nonprofit organization that protects the natural world through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats. The Xerces Society is a science-based conservation organization, working with diverse partners that include scientists, land managers, educators, policymakers, farmers, and communities. By utilizing applied research, engaging in advocacy, providing educational resources, addressing policy implications, and building community, we endeavor to make meaningful long-term conservation a reality.

Learn about the Pollinator Protection Pledge

For more information on their conservation work, click here

10 Ways to Save the Bees

1. Plant a Bee Garden

One of the largest threats to bees is a lack of safe habitat where they can build homes and find a variety of nutritious food sources. By planting a bee garden, you can create a habitat corridor with plants that are rich in pollen and nectar. You don’t need a ton of space to grow bee-friendly plants — gardens can be established across yards and in window boxes, flower pots, and planters. You can also get involved with local organizations and governments to find opportunities to enrich public and shared spaces.

2. Go Chemical-Free for Bees

Synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, and neonicotinoids are harmful to bees, wreaking havoc on their sensitive systems. Avoid treating your garden and green spaces with synthetics. Instead, use organic products and natural solutions such compost to aid soil health and adding beneficial insects that keep pests away like ladybugs and praying mantises.

3. Become a Citizen Scientist

Join a global movement to collect data on our favorite pollinators! Gather photos and other information about native bees and upload them to the iNaturalist app. Make it a group activity for friends by hosting a BeeBlitz event! Together, we can learn about the bees in various sites and cities and identify opportunities for nurturing them.

4. Provide Trees for Bees

Did you know that bees get most of their nectar from trees? When a tree blooms, it provides hundreds — if not thousands — of blossoms to feed from. Trees are not only a great food source for bees, but also an essential habitat. Tree leaves and resin provide nesting material for bees, while natural wood cavities make excellent shelters. With deforestation and development on the rise, you can help bolster bee habitats by caring for trees and joining tree-planting parties in your area.

5. Create a Bee Bath

Bees work up quite a thirst foraging and collecting nectar. Fill a shallow bird bath or bowl with clean water, and arrange pebbles and stones inside so that they break the water’s surface. Bees will land on the stones and pebbles to take a long, refreshing drink.

6. Build Homes for Native Bees

Did you know that, with the exception of honeybees, most bees are solitary creatures? 70% of solitary bees live underground, while 30% live in holes inside of trees or hollow stems. Species like bumble bees build their nests in undisturbed land, and you can provide safe haven for them by leaving an untouched plot of land for them in your garden! “Bee condos” — which have small tube “apartments” — allow species like mason bees to take up residence. They’re easy to make or purchase. Our Sponsor-a-Hive program places solitary bee homes in gardens, schools, and communities around the U.S. and Canada.

7. Give Beehives and Native Bee Homes

Keep honeybees, nurture native bees, or help gardens and schools around the U.S. and Canada grow food and strengthen local environments. Our Sponsor-a-Hive program creates safe havens for precious pollinators in underserved communities by supplying the tools, gear, and education needed to successfully home bees. Donate to our program or apply to receive a home for your group or organization.

8. Teach Tomorrow’s Bee Stewards

Inspire the next generation of eco citizens with guides, lessons, and activities to get them buzzed about bees! Educators can use our collection of free resources to bring nature and ecology into the classroom — and the hearts of children everywhere.

9. Host a Fundraiser

Host a fundraiser online or do something you love to help #BeeTheSolution. Your #BeeTheSolution fundraising events create community building and information sharing opportunities that inspire while raising funds for The Bee Conservancy programs. It’s an easy, fun way to make a serious impact.

10. Support Local Beekeepers and Organizations

Local beekeepers work hard to nurture their bees and the local community. The easiest way to show your appreciation is to buy locally-made honey and beeswax products. Many beekeepers use products from their hives to create soaps, lotions, and beeswax candles. Plus, local honey is not only delicious — it is made from local flora and may help with seasonal allergies! You can also give time, resources, and monetary donations to local beekeeping societies and environmental groups to help their programs grow.

Steps sourced from https://thebeeconservancy.org/10-ways-to-save-the-bees/

Brands working to make a difference

Me & the Bees

Mikaila started her lemonade at youth entrepreneurial events and at her lemonade stand out in front of her home, donating a percentage of the profits to local and international organizations fighting hard to save the honeybees. That is why she touts: “Buy a Bottle…Save a Bee.”

To learn more, click here

Moon Valley Organics

They grow herbs and raise bees on a 10-acre organic farm, nestled beneath the Cascade Mountains. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds thrive due to habitat expansion and advocating for a pesticide-free future.

To learn more, click here

Cascadian Farm

Cascadian Farm is spearheading Bee Friendlier, an education and support program to help bees thrive. Bee Friendlier seeks to inform, teach and promote bee-friendly activities by:

  • Planting Wildflowers for Bee Habitat
  • Supporting Bee Health Research
  • Training and Educating about Pollinators

To Learn more, click here

Annie’s Organics

Annie‘s organic brand believes in protecting the health of our planet. That includes creating a thriving ecosystem for pollinators.

Annie’s is supporting the Xerces Society with an $80,000 donation to help protect pollinators.

Working with Xerces, Annie’s plants pollinator habitat area such as hedgerows and other flowering plants bees love on two of its dairy farms. That’s where the cheese for Annie’s macaroni and cheese originates.

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  • Annie’s has a special edition mac and cheese to honor pollinators. Mac & Bees features fun pollinator themed pasta shapes.

Muir Glen

This organic brand of California-grown organic tomatoes has an on-going partnership with the Xerces Society to create pollinator habitats on all its farms by 2021.

These habitats can also improve water quality, reduce soil erosion and provide spaces for native plants, animals and songbirds.

Tomatoes can self-pollinate, but the plants grow more, larger fruit when native pollinators get involved.

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Money on Honey

Honey Bees are facing serious health threats known as the “Four P’s:” parasites, pathogens, pesticides, and poor nutrition. These factors combined contribute to the deaths of an average of 40% of colonies each year in the US, so Droga has partnered with Project Apis m, Seeds for Bees and The Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund to help save the bees!

For every bag of Money on Honey sold, they make a donation to support the health and vitality of the honey bee population. Donations help fund research and provide habitat to improve honey bee colonies and ensure we have healthy, delicious honey for generations to come. So when you buy Money on Honey products, you are helping to “save the bees with every bite!”

Justin’s Nut Butters

Pollinators are responsible for one in three bites of food we eat, including almonds, honey and chocolate – three of our favorite foods here at JUSTIN’S! But honeybees are dying off at a 44% rate per year. Without pollinators, there would be no JUSTIN’S – now that’s nuts!

They’ve joined forces with national, state and local organizations that are working to protect pollinators through habitat conservation and expansion, sustainable agriculture, research and education.

None of it alone will solve the problem yet collectively, with your help, we can save the pollinators. Learn more about Justin’s Mission here.

Endangered Species Chocolates

Did you know that almonds are the only crop that are 100% reliant on honey bees for propagation? Endangered Species Chocolate uses Blue Diamond almonds in its recipes, supporting a producer that is species and habitat conscious. Blue Diamond funds research in more than 70 projects focused on the health of bees, pollination and colony health.

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Additional Resources