In 2017, the United Nations proclaimed May 20th World Bee Day to highlight the critical role bees play in pollinating approximately 75% of global food crops and raise awareness of their declining population. Let’s celebrate World Bee Day with action! You don’t have to be a beekeeper to protect and enhance the lives of bees and other pollinators. You can plant pollinator-friendly plants (in-ground or in containers). There’s still time to get some of their favorite, heat-loving flowers planted:

• Basil
• Sunflower
• Amaranth
• Zinnia
• Marigold
• Hibiscus
• Blanket flower
• Coneflower
• Okra

If gardening isn’t your thing, our pollinators would equally appreciate it if you’d create waterers for them. There’s no need to be fancy. It could simply be a plate of rocks set in an afternoon shade spot. The rains will fill the plate with water when you don’t and the rocks provide pollinators a spot to sit and sip without drowning. If you’re feeling motivated to take it up a notch, check out the DIY waterers I made last year.

Bee aware🐝 It doesn’t require much. These simple actions can make a big impact on our little helpers!