Imagine a world without beautiful flowers or fresh produce. That’s what it would be like if we didn’t have bees. These beloved pollinators play a vital role in our global food supply. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), “75% of the world’s food crops depend on pollinators like bees.” From an economic standpoint, they are vital too. In fact, it’s estimated that honeybees, alone, pollinate $30 billion worth of food crops annually.

So, they are absolutely integral to maintaining the natural world that humans depend on for survival – i.e. without bees, we have no crops, no plants. Plain and simple. As well, many species of trees (a.k.a. the earth’s lungs) are pollinated from bees – cherry, pear and plum (to name just a few).

To wit: Many domestic and imported fruits and veggies rely on bees to gather and then scatter pollen from flower to flower. That’s how they grow and reproduce. Unfortunately, our hardworking bees are under threat from declining habitat, pesticides and climate change. Which means the role of beekeepers has never been more important.

And not just for us. All the other living creatures we share this land with are affected too. Songbirds, for example, live on a diet of seeds and berries. It’s all part of the great food web. In short, protecting pollinators is key to sustaining long-term environmental health.

So how can you help protect pollinators?

One of the easiest ways to do that is support local beekeepers. At the Botanist Choice, we work with a community of dedicated beekeepers because we know that it contributes to a thriving economy and fosters a rich biodiversity. Bonus? Pure, raw virgin honey just tastes better.