Show Some Love this Valentine's Day - Let’s Talk About the Birds and the Bees!
It’s almost Valentine’s Day, and time to have a talk about the Birds and the Bees. The phrase often refers to the metaphorical discussion parents have with children about courtships and S.E.X. In truth, by the time most of parents get around to having “the talk,” many kids have already heard quite a lot from older children - either friends, or siblings. This is a very cute video showing parents and their children having candid discussions about the topic. The video shows parents using “real words,” be advised if that offends you.
However, this discussion is about the actual birds and bees who keep our flowers blooming and fresh food on the table, not only in Camas, but throughout the world. Birds and bees are pollinators, and they play an important role in keeping our ecosystems healthy and supporting agriculture. According to the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign, 80 percent of food plans species, throughout the world, depend on the birds and the bees. Further, we can thank them for one out of every three mouthfuls of food and drink we consume in the U.S.
Certain Systemic Pesticides Contribute to a Loss in Bee Populations
Environmentalists continue to worry about the use of insecticides called neonicotinoids, and there is a scientific correlation between the decline of honey bees and the use of these toxins. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service now lists nearly 40 pollinator species as threatened or endangered. In my opinion, that’s highly unacceptable. We don’t just need bees for food production, they are also an indicator species. Their well-being is indicative of the health of our environment as a whole.
Butterflies, certain species of birds including bats, another pollinator, are also impacted by the use of poisonous chemicals and insecticides. Add frogs and other critters to the mix and you can see the impact it would have on our environment to lose great numbers of these important eco-partners. In addition, can you imagine a world without the birds and the bees?
Show Some Love at Home
While the politicians continue to play politics, and the greedy folks continue to argue over the data regarding systemic pesticides and their impact in nature, there are things we can be doing at home in our Clark County gardens.
Go Native: Plant native flowering shrubs, trees and flowers that bloom throughout the seasons to help attract pollinators and help them thrive. For a list of native plants in your area, download the app Bee Smart.
Help the Butterflies: Butterflies are dying too, and a species especially at risk, is the Monarch butterfly. Planting native milkweed in your yard can help support these beautiful creatures and their migration.
Learn to Live with a Few Weeds: Dandelions and such may look ugly to some, but they are an important food source for pollinators. We need to re-think our idea of beautiful and realize picture perfect isn’t necessarily as lovely as it seems in nature.
Stop Using Toxins: The chemicals and pest treatments used on lawns and in gardens can cause damage. These treatments are especially harmful if applied while flowers are in bloom.
Buy local, raw honey. Your money talks. Go to your local farmers markets and have a dialog to ensure the beekeepers you support have the same philosophy. Remember, the principles of supply and demand in relationship to healthy food.
Water!: Bees get thirsty too. Make sure you keep a little basin, or bird bath filled with fresh water in your yard. Add some stones for them to crawl on, no doubt, they’ll appreciate it.
Let Congress Know How You Feel: Change happens slowly, but it can’t happen if we don’t bother to voice our opinions. Sign petitions to help save bees, and other endangered species critical to our own survival.
This Valentine’s Day, and everyday, it’s important to show some love. Daily, we need to love and honor one another, and the many gifts from nature, including the birds and bees. It’s our planet, if we don’t take care of it, who will?
Here are few videos of mine honoring the birds and the bees ( and the butterflies).
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