Pollinator Education

Yellow-legged hornets have begun appearing in the United States—and honeybees are their primary target. Scientists and beekeepers are racing to stop this invasive predator before it spreads and threatens pollinators that support global food systems.

Every year Canada imports hundreds of thousands of queen bees to keep honey bee colonies alive and pollinating crops. But scientists say relying on imported queens may actually weaken bee populations instead of saving them. Bees raised in warmer climates often struggle to survive harsh Canadian winters, and imported colonies can introduce new diseases or dilute locally adapted genetics. Researchers now believe the long-term solution to pollinator decline may lie in breeding locally adapted bees, strengthening native pollinator populations, and building more resilient ecosystems. Understanding how bee populations adapt to climate and environment could be the key to protecting the pollinators that sustain our food supply.

Most people assume their garden is visited by just a few bees. In reality, a healthy backyard can support dozens of native bee species, each playing a unique role in pollination and ecosystem health. The documentary My Garden of a Thousand Bees reveals how one small garden became home to more than 60 species of bees, uncovering a hidden world of pollinators that most people never notice. By understanding how bees live, forage, and pollinate plants, gardeners can transform their outdoor spaces into thriving habitats that support biodiversity and protect essential pollinator populations.

Most people think honeybees have always been part of North America’s landscape, but they actually arrived with European settlers in the 1600s. Long before that, native bumblebees were already pollinating wildflowers, surviving ice ages, and keeping ecosystems running smoothly. Understanding the difference between honeybees and native bees matters more than ever as pollinator populations decline and biodiversity hangs in the balance.

Bees can add, subtract, and understand zero despite having brains smaller than a grain of rice. This unexpected discovery is reshaping how scientists think about intelligence, mathematics, and even the possibility of communicating with extraterrestrial life. If math exists beyond human thinking, it may be the closest thing we have to a universal language.

Peru is making environmental history by granting legal rights to stingless bees, recognizing their essential role in biodiversity, pollination, and rainforest regeneration. These native bees are vital to the Amazon ecosystem, supporting food systems, carbon capture, and Indigenous traditions. As threats like deforestation, climate change, and pesticide use accelerate insect decline worldwide, Peru’s decision signals a powerful shift in how nations protect pollinators and address the global biodiversity crisis.

Ever wondered where bees and butterflies disappear to once winter hits? While the flowers fade and the air turns sharp, bees don’t vanish — they survive through extraordinary winter adaptations. From bumble bees shivering to generate heat to queens freezing solid with natural antifreeze, learn the incredible science behind how insects survive winter and why their survival matters to our ecosystems.

Beeswax candles are more than a mood-setter. They clean the air, ground your nervous system, and bring the outdoors in. In this blog post, we explore why these natural candles are the smartest and healthiest way to light up your home.