"MaMo" addresses the bee problem, AKA Colony Collapse Disorder, in today's column, with humor, as he often does. So if you like your bitter news with a dose of honey...
Apocalypse Of The Honeybees - How poetically appropriate that the End of Man should come from such a tiny, sweet source Mark Morford, SfGate.com, 05/09/07
What can you do that might help bring back the bees? Yes, it's entirely possible bee populations will rebound without our help, but there's no harm in helping now, especially considering scientists are still stumped by the massive die-offs. We're hearing possible culprits include pesticides, GMOs, cell phones, parasites, mites, fungi, and Ashlee Simpson. In the meantime, think about doing your part:
-- Garden organically and practice Integrated Pest Management in your own backyard.
-- Buy organic.
-- Throw away your cell phone. Kidding! I hope.
-- Boycott GMO crops.
-- Support organizations working to help the bees.
-- Elect environmentally-aware representatives.
-- Plant bee-attracting flowers: bee balm, lavender, salvia, zinnia, natives, etc.
-- Put up a bee house (see below).
-- Hug a scientist. Better yet, donate to your local college's entomology department.
I knew it was Ashlee Simpson!
ReplyDeleteI hope you are doing some of those things to keep the bee's going.I prefer your writing style Angela to that guys.The UK has been having the same problems with declining honey bee populations, and as he pointed out lots of plants and flowers rely on the insect vectors to be pollinated, and to encourage the next generation of plants with new DNA.
ReplyDeleteI hope to photograph some bee's this summer with my new camera.Its been fun taking hundreds of pics!
"I knew it was Ashlee Simpson!"-- Anthony
ReplyDeleteMe too. ;-)
"I prefer your writing style Angela to that guys." -- Snappy
Thanks. I guess Mark Morford isn't for everybody. I often disagree with him, but he's never boring. I happen to like his rambling writing style, perhaps because I, too, have a rambling mind... CONGRATS on your new camera!
Glad to see you posted about this! I've been maintaining a mason bee nest for about 4 years now, and I hope more gardener's get into this! It's really easy and fun, no downside whatsoever!
ReplyDelete