Bees are an important part of our ecosystem because they are major pollinators of the flowering plants and agricultural crops we depend on. However, the Xerces Society, a non-profit organization which works to protect pollinators, reports that there are several species of bees in North America which are at risk of extinction. While it may seem like a single person cannot prevent the extinction of a species, things individuals can do their part to help protect the bees. One thing is to create a friendly environment in your backyard by selecting native plants which attract bees. Choose plants with flower colors bees can easily see, like white, purple, or blue, and plant them in groups so it’s easy for them to access the flowers. In addition, never use pesticides. If you have the space, consider establishing beehives in your yard so a colony can have a safe space to live.
If you live in Portland, OR and want to get involved with beekeeping, carve out some time to visit Bee Thinking, a natural beekeeping supplier. Whether you have established hives or are just getting started, Bee Thinking offers everything you need, including beehives and beekeeping equipment. Using Western Red Cedar from the Pacific Northwest, the beehives are made right at the Bee Thinking mill in Portland. In addition to cedar beehives and beekeeping accessories, the store offers honey and gifts, swarm removal services, educational classes, and more. If you aren’t lucky enough to live in Portland, Bee Thinking has a robust online store where you can order whatever you need to build your own hives.
If you purchase honey or gifts at Bee Thinking which a faraway friend or family member would enjoy, stop by one of the PostalAnnex locations in Portland to package and ship your gifts. The friendly professionals will even compare shipping rates between UPS and FedEx to help you find the best rate and service.
With 88% of the private companies in the U.S. employing 19 or fewer employees (Source: U.S. SBA), we at PostalAnnex believe local businesses are vital to the health of the U.S. economy. Therefore, PostalAnnex is pleased to feature Bee Thinking as our Featured Local Neighborhood Business and encourages locals to buy from local businesses.
Image: Bee Thinking Facebook
Sources: LATimes.com “6 easy ways you can help save the bees”; Xerces Society website; Bee Thinking Facebook; Bee Thinking website