Wild bees need our help. Many populations are declining due to habitat loss, disease and pesticide poisoning. Domesticated honeybees managed for honey production and agricultural services are also struggling.

As our most important pollinators, bees provide one-third of the food we eat. They also allow wild plants to reproduce and produce berries, fruits and seeds. Bee losses pose a risk to our life support systems.

There are 20,000 known bee species worldwide and more than 800 native bee species in Canada of all sizes — the smallest is the size of the head of a pin! Each is unique and pollinates different plants at different times. For example, squash bees are the best for squash, pumpkins and gourds. Every species is beneficial to plants.

Each of us can create habitat to support local bee populations. Bees are more likely to thrive in your backyard, community or patio garden and on mixed farms than on acres devoted to single crops. Urban settings mean short flight paths and a variety of different plants and flowers to sample.

The bee friend, a painting by Hans Thoma (1839–1924) Hans Thoma was one of Germany's outstanding painters in the late century. From the earliest times Ireland was known for its plenitude of honey. The ancient Celts considered beekeeping so important to the livelihood of the people and the fertility of the land. Whenever there was a death in the family, someone had to go out to the hives and tell the bees