How young environmentalists can help save the bees
A guide for scouts, environmental clubs and any young person who wants to save the bees and protect pollinators from extinction.
This toolkit is designed for scout groups, environmental clubs and others in grades 5-8. Download a printable version at the link to the left.
Bees, butterflies and other pollinators play a crucial role in our lives. But as our society uses more pesticides, bee populations are plummeting. Fortunately, we know how to help them: protecting already-existing pollinator habitat, expanding habitat by planting pollinator-friendly plants in our own gardens and on public lands, and ending the worst uses of the pesticides that are killing them. Together, we can save the bees.
Step 1: Find pollinators at your home or in your neighborhood
Most pollinators are active from early spring through late fall though it can vary depending on your climate. They tend to be active during the late morning and afternoon.
Observe
- Take a walk through your neighborhood. Look for plants with flowers. Take a close look and watch for bees, flies, butterflies and other winged critters hovering near the flowers. Take photos of the critters and the plants.
- Make notes in a notebook of time, day and location of each photo.
Research
- Talk to a gardener, use a book or an app like iNaturalist or the internet (with help from an adult) to identify the critter and plant species.
- Did you find a pollinator? Which flowers do they pollinate?
- Which flowers did you identify? Which pollinators do they depend on?
- Visit the location again to observe it at a different time of day and take more photos to document.
Part 2: Learn about your local pollinators and which plants they pollinate
There are thousands of species of pollinators across the world. Each region has dozens to hundreds of species.
Do your research. Make a list of at least ten pollinator species native to your area and which plants they pollinate. Find photos of both the pollinators and the flowers and familiarize yourself with them.
Find out if there are nearby spots with any of those plants such as a park, botanical garden, nature reserve or other public lands. Arrange to visit some of these places, bring your camera and your notebook!
Resources:
- The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
- Your state’s department of agriculture or wildlife agency
- Your city parks and recreation department.
- Natural history museums
- Local botanic garden
- Native plant society
- Local garden center
- A beekeeper (lots of people keep bees in their yards)
Part 3: Make a plan to create more local pollinator habitat
Now that you’ve learned about native pollinators and native plants, it’s time to create more habitat for them.
Step 1: Identify a location where you can plant and care for native plants visited by native pollinators.
This could be container gardening on a porch or balcony, a garden patch in your own yard (with permission from parents/guardians) or getting permission from your school, church, community center or other public/community area to plant on the grounds.
Step 2: Decide which plants you are going to grow.
Meet with a gardener to learn about what kind of soil and water needs different plants have. What is their growing season? Are you going to plant them from seeds or buy plants to replant?
Step 3: Make a plan to care for the plants.
Who will be involved? What is the schedule? What is the backup plan if the person who is supposed to water or weed is unavailable? How will you communicate?
Step 4: Make a list of equipment needed and plants or seeds.
Figure out a budget for purchasing. Find out if you can borrow or buy second hand equipment. If needed, come up with a fundraising plan to fund the project.
Step 5: Implement your plan!
Bonus step: When your plants meet maturity, observe and record which native pollinators visit the habitat you helped create.
Part 4: Learn about threats facing bees and pollinators
Using the library or the internet with the help of an adult, look into the threats facing pollinators. Bees and other pollinators are in trouble for several reasons.
- Climate change is affecting all living things on Earth, including pollinators. Read more about how. Here are some resources:
- Building houses, office buildings and roads in areas that used to be open space replaces native plants with concrete and cement or non-native plants. That reduces the amount of habitat that pollinators have to live.
- Pesticide use, especially the use of neonicotinoids or “neonics” is harming bees. Resources to learn more about neonics:
Part 5: Help reduce pesticide use in your community
You can convince decision-makers to reduce pesticide use through education and suggesting alternatives.
How to avoid bee-killing pesticides
Step 1: Pick the location you want to make sure is pesticide free.
Some ideas:
- Home
- School
- Church
- Neighborhood
- City
- County
- State
Step 2: Find out who is in charge of taking care of lawns, gardens and other open space.
If possible, meet with them to learn about what pesticides are being used. You may also be able to send an email asking for a list of pesticides that are being used and where they are being used.
Step 3: Find out who makes the decisions about which pesticides are purchased.
It may not be the same people as the ones taking care of the open spaces. Learn about how they make decisions. Is one person the decision-maker? Is there a group of people who vote? Do they accept proposals from people outside of the decision-making group?
Step 4: Reach out to the decision makers.
Ask to schedule a household meeting, ask for a meeting with the Principal or a member of City Council.
Step 5: Prepare your presentation.
Prepare a presentation making the case for why the decision-makers should stop using pesticides or change their practices. Have visuals like a handout or a poster. Practice your presentation before a friendly audience.
Step 6: Make your presentation.
Answer questions, ask if they need more information and who else you should be talking to.
Together, we can help save the bees!
Topics
Find Out More
Guide to planting a pollinator-friendly garden
Green schools guide
How to help bees and butterflies in your own back yard
