The Food For Bees initiative promotes the planting of bee forage on public and private lands, to support wild pollinator populations.
Bees and other pollinating insects are important for the pollination of plants and food crops that produce fruits, seeds and forage for animal feed. They also play a key role in maintaining a healthy environment.
Studies have shown that an abundance and diversity of nectar and pollen bearing plants enhance pollinator populations. This in turn, supports greater biodiversity and a healthier sustainable environment. It is expected that after a few years of implementation, many areas will show increases in pollinator abundance and species diversity.
Selecting Bee Forage Plants
Some plants are highly attractive to bees because they offer pollen and nectar which bees need to reproduce, support their brood and survive the winter. These types of plants are commonly called “bee forage”. When selecting bee forage for bees, choose plants suitable for the climate, soil and water conditions. Also consider the physical environment of the planting location and its attractiveness in the landscape design.
Noted from the world of Bees publication by Fran Bach.