Welcome

Many crops rely on pollinators. Many of these, which includes bees, wasps and butterflies, are in decline.

       Pollinators are responsible for bringing us 1 out of every 3 bites of food.

 

           

 

Estimated world wild that 1-2% of the insect population is declining annually.

These insects, as pollinators, increase the yields of 3/4 of crop varieties, they are critical for growing healthy foods like fruits, vegetables and nuts. Wild bees are the most important pollinators. 

     

            If this rate of decline continues, we will have an "insect apocalapse in the coming decades.

 

The main reasons for the decline are changes in land-use, use of harmful pesticides and advancing climate changes.

 

The Almancil Rotary Club is aware of the predictions and is undertaking a project to create awareness of the problem and is highlighting steps that can help to avoid or at least reduce the problem.

 

With the Almancil Interact Club we are:

      *Raising awareness of the importance of pollinators and the need to support their needs and environment.

      *Make a difference by encouraging these creatures into our backyards and local areas.

      *Make it known that unlike honey bees, wild bees do not sting.

      *Encouraging people to plant a variety of flowers and avoid fertilizers.

 

   

A wild bee (possibly a mason bee) photographed in a club member's home before entering her bee home.

 

We are also encouraging the use of backyard wild bee homes.

The female bee lays a single egg in a tube, leaves it with food, seals off and the repeats the process until the tube is full.

The grubs hatch, eat their food, pupitate over winter and hatch in the spring.

 

    

Here is an example of a bee home.         Also shown are members of our Interact Club, helping to produce the bee homes.

 

The bee homes will not solve the world problem, but they will assist learning and knowledge for the next generations.