Beautiful Busy Bees

 

Where would we be without beautiful, busy bees? They work hard every day, and in turn, the world is a better place. Even though they might not know it, they make it possible for us to eat. Other animals benefit from them as well. Thanks to their unwavering work ethic, they make life possible for every person and creature who inhabit the Earth with them.

Their Essential Role

Pollination is the act of transferring pollen grains from the male anther of a flower to the female stigma. That’s right – even the main goal of plants is to have kids. If we didn’t have bees pollinating flowers, we wouldn’t have all of the delicious food we have today. This includes strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and many, many others. It doesn’t stop at just fruits, however; vegetables you enjoy daily benefit from the bees pollinating them.

While we know these small insects make our lives better, what about their fellow animals? Without bees pollinating flowers, animals like cows wouldn’t have anything to eat. They help herbivores everywhere enjoy their time on Earth while eating their favorite grasses for their meals.

Busy Bees Make Busy People

Another aspect we often forget is that they provide humans with jobs. Without beekeepers, we wouldn’t have anyone harvesting their honey. We use honey in everyday food and beauty items, and we’re able to do so thanks to beekeepers. There are anywhere from 115,000 to 125,000 beekeepers in the United States alone. Thankfully, the bee population is on the rise once again bringing even more people to the practice.

Just like people who believe in the 100 Year Lifestyle, bees are one of the few species that produce colonies that are meant to survive for multiple years. We have much to learn from them; bees have inspired scientific and engineering projects like the use of hexagons in engineering. As we journey through our 100 Year Lifestyle, remember their innovation and their will to live long lives. 

Bees have a vital role in the overall health of our planet. Without them, much of what we have wouldn’t be possible. Be thankful for those busy bees and advocate for their importance.