BEESPONSIBLE LIVING
Living Beesponsibly means helping bees in many different ways — obvious, subtle, big or small. This approach to living supports bees for sure, but it also sustains and enhances our communities and local economies, promotes public and personal health and, of course, nurtures the environment that connects us all — bees, animals and humans.
FOCUS ON BEESPONSIBLE BASICS
Gain an appreciation for the wonders of honeybees as well as the many valuable native bee species .
Show respect for all bees, their foraging instincts and their natural habitats.
Plant bee-friendly flowers, shrubs and trees in your garden .
Practice a pesticide-free approach to lawn care management.
Leave patches of bare dirt (free of mulch, turf or fabric/plastic) to allow ground-nesting bees a home in your landscaping.
Create nesting sites or “bee houses” as a habitat for wood-and-cavity-nesting native bees.
Provide a shallow, clean water source in your garden for thirsty foraging bees.
BE A BEE ADVOCATE
Spread awareness of the connection between bees and humans — an easy way to Beesponsible and give bees a voice.
Urge your elected officials to support bee-friendly legislature .
Encourage your local leaders or city council to fill public spaces with pollinator-friendly plants.
Get involved in community gardening initiatives.
Give your neighbors a gift of potted bee-friendly flowers or seed packets.
Inspire friends, family and younger generations to learn more about the benefits of bees and their many wonders.
Join the Beevolution and pledge your beelegiance .
EAT WITH A CONSCIENCE
Cultivate an awareness of how you eat, what you eat and why it matters.
Shop local food sources including neighborhood grocers, farmers’ markets and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs.
Buy raw, ethically sourced honey .
Grow your own fruits and vegetables at home.
Ask questions to gain an understanding about your food’s growth and preparation.
Understand and appreciate the many food crops that rely on bee pollination .
Take control of which ingredients go into your meals by learning (or relearning) how to cook.
Practice mindful eating to avoid food waste.
LIVE GREENER
Reduce your everyday impact on the environment to lower your carbon footprint — benefiting all living creatures.
Eliminate the application of toxic pesticides and other chemicals in your lawn and garden.
Turn off your electronics and lights when not in use.
Purchase (and use) fewer disposable household items.
Walk, bike, carpool or use public transit whenever possible.
Shut off running water when brushing teeth and hand-washing dishes.
Switch to chemical-free cleaning products, or better yet, make your own.
Reduce, reuse and recycle.
