Bee Declines in Minnesota

Per a preliminary analysis, bee decline continues to be a major concern in the U.S., and Minnesota is no exception coming in at an estimated loss of 51.2% from 2014–2015. The Bee Informed Partnership, in collaboration with the Apiary Inspectors of America (AIA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is releasing preliminary results for the ninth annual national survey of honey bee colony losses. . . . About two-thirds of the respondents (67.2%) experienced winter colony loss rates greater than the average self-reported acceptable winter mortality rate of 18.7%.

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Colony Loss Report

New York Times Report

NPR Report

 

So what can you do?

1. Plant for bees!

Bee in Northern Minnesota, near Grand Portage (photo (c) Jennifer Gehlhar)

 

 

 

• Plant for bees: cfans_article_451478

 

 2. Learn more about bees

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Learn about bees with others at the U of M Bee Lab

Learn about bees from home courtesy of U of M Bee Lab

 

 

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Learn about bees with Minnesota Hobby Beekeeping Association

Learn about bees from home courtesy of the USDA, MN Chapter

• Check your community Parks & Rec, co-ops, and other resources for pollinator or bee classes, like this one:

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Mississippi Market Co-op West 7th Location More Than Honey Bees! Class

3. Volunteer

Get certifications and volunteer for the bees

 

4. Share your bee knowledge and stories with others

Get social! Join a colony and be social with other bee fans!

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