Did you know that bees and other pollinators are an important part of our environment? In fact, bees and other pollinators ensure we have food by pollinating a variety of crops found on farms throughout the world. While you may be most familiar with honey bees, there are an estimated 20,000 species of bees! Most of these bees are solitary (rather than social) and they are typically not aggressive and many do not have stingers.

How can you get involved to help pollinators?

1. Participate in Community Science! While there are lots of options, the Bumble Bee Watch is a collaborative project focused across North America. You will need a camera (phone, digital, etc) to participate.
2. Sign the Pollinator Protection Pledge. This pledge engages people to spread the word, avoid pesticides, provide nest sites, and grow pollinator-friendly flowers.
3. Keep a bee journal! You can keep a written log or drawing journal of when you notice bees in your neighborhood. Taking time to stop and watch the bees is a great way to connect with nature and learn more about these hard working insects in your neighborhood. Consider researching the types of plants you see the bees on- is there a pattern? 
4. Check out the Minnesota Zoo’s Prairie Butterfly Conservation Program page to read about this important work saving Minnesota’s vanishing butterfly species, and to learn how you can take action to help!
5. Share your joy of bees with others and help spread the word about the importance of bees in the community! Take pictures, write poems, make songs or dances, and share them with friends and family. One bee-specific and fun movement activity, is to learn about the “waggle dance” of honey bees and see if you can practice at home!

The Minnesota Zoo would love to see examples of how you used this activity at home! Please share pictures or comments via email at [email protected], and take less than 5 minutes of time to provide us feedback by completing this short survey.