Bees are an incredibly important part of our modern agriculture system as well as being a general indicator of the overall health of our environment. You probably remember hearing a lot about colony collapse back in the mid-aughts, and it  probably gave you a good scare. The good news is that the EPA reports that Colony Collapse Disorder, or CCD, has dropped from roughly 60% of total hives lost in 2008 to 31.1% in 2013. 

But we’re not out of the woods yet and there is a lot of work being done to try and save our bees. In this episode we talk to two women who are part of the battle. First is backyard beekeeper, Jen Bernard. Then we’re going to go deeper into the hive with Lanie Bilodeau who heads up a major research operation happening at the USDA Honey bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Laboratory in Baton Rouge. 

Finally, I introduce to you our Artist in Residence Ashli Ognelodh. One of her recent paintings had a bee as its focal point. 

We have a lot to lose if our bee population declines… which is why so much time and attention is being given to help them thrive. But we also have a lot to learn from our bee friends. Saint Francis De Sales once said, “The bee collects honey from flowers in such a way as to do the least damage and destruction to them, and he leaves them whole, undamaged and fresh, just as he found them.” 

If we begin to look at creating with the same level of respect, we too will restore our balance with nature. 

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