Urgent Plea to Save the Bees: Less Than a Year Left
Christine Nicolodi, a dedicated backyard beekeeper, knows the sting of a bee all too well. She's a proud member of the Clay County Beekeepers Association, where her love for Italian honeybees knows no bounds. These little buzzing wonders tirelessly pollinate the flowers in her garden, fruit trees, and any blossoming plant within a three to five-mile radius. What's more, they gift her with the liquid gold - honey. This honey season, she managed to harvest 70 pounds of tangy, golden, sweet wildflower honey from just two hives.
"Honey is like liquid gold," she beamed. "It has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, a natural antibiotic, a true cure-all. It makes for a wonderful gift."
The honey season spans from June to September, and during the off-season, Nicolodi has been on a mission to raise awareness about The Florida State Beekeepers Association's "Save the Bees" license plate program. The association's aim is to generate funds by selling specialty license plates to support the Honey Bee Research Laboratory at the University of Florida. This lab is an invaluable resource for both residential and commercial beekeepers.
The UF Honey Bee Lab extends its programs across the state, reaching out to beekeepers and offering solutions to maintain healthy hives. The specialty license plates must reach a minimum of 3,000 pre-sale vouchers before they can be manufactured and made available, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Yet, based on pre-sale data from their website, only 527 "Save the Bees" license plates have been sold, with the deadline set for October 15, 2024.
In response to this pressing situation, Nicolodi and the Florida State Beekeepers Association have rallied a statewide grassroots movement. Regardless of the campaign's outcome, Nicolodi remains hopeful, understanding that the vouchers are merely a means to a vital end.
"Bees are making a comeback," she insisted. "Between 75 and 85 percent of pollination is attributed to honey bees. If you enjoy flowers or fresh produce, you need bees. We cannot replicate their vital role, and observing them at work is a sheer delight. You can see the pollen sticking to their legs."
Dr. Jamie Ellis, Professor of Entomology and director of the UF Honey Bee Lab, shared optimism, stating, "Honey bee populations have stabilized."
However, the road has been rocky. Since 2006, honey bees have been suffering a distressing - though somewhat stabilized - annual death rate of about 30%, largely due to Varroa mites and the viruses they transmit, as explained by Dr. Ellis in his "Field Guide to Beekeeping" article.
As researchers like Dr. Ellis work tirelessly to develop effective treatments against Varroa mites and their associated viruses, the FSBA aims to increase awareness and support for the pre-sale license plates. The success of this fundraising endeavor hinges on the collective efforts of bee enthusiasts like Nicolodi and the generous contributions from the community.
To secure a pre-sale voucher and be part of the solution, you can visit flstatebeekeepers.org/the-plate-voucher.
"The vouchers are non-refundable, but in the unfortunate event of campaign failure, the funds won't vanish. Instead, they'll be channeled into your next tag renewal," noted FSBA member Kent Woodridge. "The UF Honey Bee Lab relies on grant funding, which can be uncertain. Truly, saving the bees is a community-led effort."
With less than a year left to "Save the Bees," the urgency of the situation is clear - it's time for individuals and the community to come together and support these vital pollinators.
🐝💚 #SaveTheBees, #Beekeeping, #Pollinators, #HoneySeason, #EnvironmentalAwareness
