By Marc Fawcett-Atkinson, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Almost a quarter of the estimated 20,000 bee species on Earth may be in decline, researchers have found. The January study is the first time the well-being of pollinators has been assessed on a global scale, with previous concerns of declining wild pollinator populations based on local or regional studies.
Continue reading Number of Bee species droppingCanada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
With care bordering on affection, mycologist Paul Stamets hoists up an enormous conk of agarikon to better show it off.
Continue reading Agarikon: An old-growth mushroom, possibly the key to fighting future pandemicsBy Marc Fawcett-Atkinson, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Forget lions, tigers and bears: For Claire Kremen, conserving insects is more important. Around the world, forests, meadows and wild spaces are being rapidly transformed into farmland, pushing wildlife into steep decline and threatening our food security.
Continue reading key to sustainability: pollinators like bees and fliesOne in every three bites of food we eat depends on bees. Without bees, our local and global food systems would collapse. Recently, Colony Collapse Disorder has become a buzzword. It refers to the sudden death of honeybee colonies from a myriad of causes, from toxic pesticides to viruses, to disease, and is becoming more and more common in industrial beekeeping operations. But, could the Colony Collapse plague Cortes Island’s own bees?
Continue reading Lessons From Cortes Island’s BeesBy Roy L Hales
May 29 is the “Day of the Honeybee.” BC is celebrating the growth of an industry that started with the arrival of two hives in Victoria during 1858. There are now 47,000 colonies, whose activities a $250-million-a-year agricultural industry. BC also produces $10 million worth of honey. The provincial Minister of Agriculture, Norm Letnik, says this is a time to remember how much bees contribute to “our lives, our economy and our food supply.” Gwen Barlee suggests we should celebrate the Day of the Honeybee by Banning Neonicotinoids.
