Honeybees have been mysteriously disappearing across the planet, literally vanishing from their hives.
Known as Colony Collapse Disorder, this phenomenon has brought beekeepers to crisis in an industry responsible for producing apples, broccoli, watermelon, onions, cherries and a hundred other fruits and vegetables. Commercial honeybee operations pollinate crops that make up one out of every three bites of food on our tables.
Vanishing of the Bees follows commercial beekeepers David Hackenberg and Dave Mendes as they strive to keep their bees healthy and fulfill pollination contracts across the U.S. The film explores the struggles they face as the two friends plead their case on Capital Hill and travel across the Pacific Ocean in the quest to protect their honeybees.
Filming across the US, in Europe, Australia and Asia, this documentary examines the alarming disappearance of honeybees and the greater meaning it holds about the relationship between mankind and mother earth. As scientists puzzle over the cause, organic beekeepers indicate alternative reasons for this tragic loss. Conflicting options abound and after years of research, a definitive answer has not been found to this harrowing mystery.
How You Can Take Action Today to Protect the Honeybee
Participate in Bee Friendly Gardening
Brighten up your garden with some bee-friendly flower seeds – Plant wildflower seeds in your garden, patio pots or window boxes to provide essential nutrition for bees.
Growing your own vegetables and fruits helps the bees, the environment, and puts healthy food on your table. Nothing beats the taste of a home grown tomato, carrot or apple!
Planting a fruit tree suited to your climate can yield delicious apples, pears, oranges and other fruits year after year and best of all they’re free!
Community gardens provide a great way for folks to have a patch of their own and meet some really cool people in the process.
Become A Backyard Beekeeper
It’s very easy to have a hive in your backyard garden. There is a minimum amount of equipment, which you can buy either new or second hand.
The best way of finding out is to contact your local beekeepers association who will be very helpful and will teach you how to look after bees.
The time commitment is about one hour ever two weeks, from mid-April to September, and then almost nothing in the rest of the months. One hive should yield you enough honey for both you and your neighbors.
So, if you’re really interested in helping bees, why not think about becoming an amateur beekeeper?
Buy Organic Fruits and Vegetables
By far the most powerful way we can help the honeybee is by voting with our forks. The decisions we make about what to eat and what not to eat can shape modern agriculture and bring us back into harmony with the natural systems of life. Buying organic fruits and vegetables brings health and vitality to the dinner tables.
To find great prices on organic food try your local farmers market. Community Supported Agriculture also offers the convenience of home delivered seasonal fresh produce. These locally grown foods are the freshest available and also reduce the carbon footprint.Use Only Natural Pesticides in Your Home and Garden
