Protecting Bees: Auburn University's Bee Lab and For the Bees Club
Are you passionate about the environment and the critical role that bees play in it? Bees, often misunderstood due to their stings, are essential for our ecosystem. They pollinate our food, ensuring we have delicious fruits, beautiful flowers, and sweet honey. Unfortunately, bee populations are declining due to pesticides and climate change, posing a significant threat to our environment.
Auburn University is taking a proactive stance in safeguarding these essential pollinators through its For the Bees club and the Auburn University Bee Lab. Join us for an exclusive inside look at their remarkable efforts.
For the Bees: A Student-Run Initiative
For the Bees is a student-run organization on Auburn University's campus. If you're an Auburn student who cares about bees and the environment, you're welcome to join. The club collaborates closely with the Auburn University Bee Lab and hosts various on-campus events to raise awareness. These events include the Sustainability Picnic in August and an Earth Day celebration, both aimed at educating people about native and non-native bees.
Moreover, For the Bees actively engages in outreach activities, visiting local schools and inspiring younger children. You can often spot them on Auburn University's concourse, where they educate students and offer charming handmade merchandise and honey sticks.
According to club members, "Our club is all about raising awareness and encouraging people to make positive changes in their daily lives. Many of our members share photos of bees pollinating flowers – a heartwarming sight. You can contribute by adopting sustainable practices, planting flowers, or even wildflowers if you have space. Every small effort counts!"
Auburn University Bee Lab: Researching and Promoting Pollinator Health
The Auburn University Bee Lab is dedicated to studying and promoting the health of pollinators while researching their behavior in natural environments. One of their primary initiatives involves providing pollination services by planting biodiverse wildflowers. They work alongside partners like the Alabama Agriculture Experiment Station and the Alabama Department of Agriculture to understand the role of pollinators in pollinating native and cultivated plants.
Zachary Beneduci, a Native Bee Graduate Student at the Auburn University Bee Lab, shares, "We've had great success with flower species like Firewheel, Black Eyed Susans, Swamp Sunflowers, and Verbenas. Our focus is on understanding how fall management practices for wildflower plantings affect plant growth and longevity."
Delicious, Local Honey
Besides research, the Auburn University Bee Lab offers locally-produced honey available for purchase on their website. What makes their honey special is the interactive QR code on the label. It provides information on the honey's origin, processing, and the people responsible for its production. The lab partners with Sweet Grown Alabama, a non-profit organization promoting locally-produced agriculture consumption.
Rachel Jacobsen, a Research Assistant and Outreach Coordinator at the Auburn University Bee Lab, explains, "We have eight bee areas from which we collect honey every May and June or July. Some colonies produce more honey than others. After collecting the honey, we filter it to remove bee parts and wax, storing it in buckets before filtering it again and pouring it into our bottling tank."
Critical Pest Research
The Auburn University Bee Lab also conducts vital research on pests that threaten bee colonies, such as small hive beetles. They maintain cultures of these beetles within their lab to study population habits and densities. This research is invaluable for conserving bees and their habitats while aiding beekeepers in effective management.
Join Auburn University in their dedication to preserving our pollinators and their vital role in our environment. Let's come together to protect the bees that make our world bloom!
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