Residents of Phoenix are buzzing with a new hobby that's making a bee-line for conservation efforts – home gardening aimed to protect the city's threatened bee populations. As reported by Phoenix New Times, the state of Arizona boasts more than 1,300 species of native bees, making it the second most diverse bee haven in the U.S.
As urban sprawl continues to encroach on natural habitats, these key pollinators are facing grave challenges, having a tough time with the spots they usually pick to nest in getting paved over, according to Stephen Buchmann, a pollination ecologist and bee specialist. Folks can lend a hand to these buzzing locals by planting native wildflowers which are ready to flower in sync with nature's cues, he mentioned in a statement obtained by Tucson.com.
The recommendation comes on the heels of the 2023 Arizona Honeybee Festival, where bee enthusiasts and experts like master gardener Mike Hills shared insights on supporting both native and non-native bee species. "They'll feed on most anything that's gotten nectar or pollen with it," Hills told the attendees, aligning with the guidance to plant low-water-use flora such as desert bluebells and sunflowers.
Not to be overlooked are the honeybees, which face their own set of extreme heat-induced difficulties: wax hives melt under high temperatures, and when they venture for water from pools and lakes to cool down, they often meet a perilous end, according to Cricket Aldridge, ABBA's director, who expressed her concern to Phoenix New Times. To prevent this grim fate, Aldridge stresses having bee-friendly water sources, like bowls with marbles, giving the bees the hydration they desperately need without the risk of drowning.
The push for public education on these environmental issues was a common theme at the festival, with bee advocates like Aldridge hoping to turn fear of bees into respect for their crucial role within the ecosystem, "We are part of the ecosystem, we just have to own up to it," she emphasized, revealing a shared sentiment that it’s high time for residents to get their hands dirty for a good cause.
