Trust us when we say, “Local” is everywhere: your home, your neighborhood, and your communities are all local. Supporting the bees around you will benefit and nourish your local spaces.
Here are a few ways you can Support Local Bees…
GROW NATIVE &
POLLINATOR PLANTS
Increasing our native habitat is a huge help to bees and other pollinators, and is the best and easiest way to support them.
A diverse selection of native plants can make for a very helpful pollinator garden. By using different blooms, perennials and self-seeding annuals, bees are able to pollinate more. Bees need to forage throughout the summer, so plant flowers that bloom at different times to keep them busy.
SUPPORT A
LOCAL BEEKEEPER
Chances are you might have a beekeeper or two in your area. A visit to your farmer’s market is a good place to start, as well as local colleges and universities. We are big fans of the University of Minnesota’s Bee Squad and recommend checking them out. You can even sponsor one of their hives!
PURCHASE GOOD
HONEY
Be selective and knowledgeable with your honey purchases and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Buy honey from a trusted local beekeeper, or look for information on pesticides and practices on the packaging.
PURCHASING
NATIVE PLANTS
Bigger chain stores are more than likely to source their plants from growers that use pesticides. We recommend buying your plants from nurseries that specialize in native species.
Here are some nurseries that Worker B has personally purchased from and trust:
Outback Nursery
Prairie Moon Nursery
Kinnickinnic Native Plants
Prairie Restorations, Inc.
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BEEHIVE
Having a beehive will help to keep your local ecosystem a diverse and sustainable place. Bees are essential to the pollination of many plants and crops, and your yard will flourish from their activity.
Taking a class or joining a local beekeeping group can help you start a beehive. Universities are also a good place to begin a search or find resources on getting started.
Be sure to check local ordinances
before starting a beehive.
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CONVERSATION
Our Support Local Bees apparel carries a simple but powerful message.
(Bonus – it looks swanky.) Wear it around town and you may find yourself answering questions about how to support local bees. Don’t worry – if you’ve made it this far on the page then you’re prepared with many ideas to share. Spread the word in style!