A quick look at some basic facts about bees tells us we can support them by supporting their habitats! Then see the following recommendations for this season’s needs from gifts to food to cards made by companies that contribute to the wellbeing of bees.
Basic Facts About Bees
- Bees thrive in habitats that include diverse native species of plants, including wildflowers, shrubs, and trees. These provide the nectar and pollen they feed on.
- It is especially helpful if the plants are varied enough to blossom over the season from early spring to late fall.
- Most bees typically travel up to 3 km for food and visit 50-100 flowers each time they go pollen hunting.
The more habitat available, the less energy bees need to spend on finding pollen. Double the good done by your holiday dollars this season; put a smile on your friends’ faces with your purchases and support bee-friendly companies that actively promote healthy habitats.
Find A Bee Friendly Company
- Violaceous Bee Products - Oregon-based and owned by a mother/daughter duo, this bee-friendly company gives 5% of every jar of tea or seasoning blend sold to a variety of non-profit organizations that are working to help bees.
- Ammonite Swirls, offers handmade jewelry made with fine metals and stones. The company is a member of the 1% for the planet network, a global alliance of businesses financially committed to protecting the environment.
- Bee Fearless: Dream Like a Kid and the accompanying workbook, Kidpreneurs Guide to Building Your Buzziness Plan. Author Mikaila Ulmer is the founder and CEO of Me and the Bees Lemonade, a company that gives a portion of its profits to organizations fighting to save bees. Further, she started The Healthy Hive Foundation whose mission it is to save all bees through education, research, and protection.
- Sierra Club has a variety of apparel and gifts to purchase. Or for something a little different, you can adopt a wild animal or gift someone a membership. The Sierra Club has been advocating for the environment for over 130 years.
- Muir Glen's array of organic tomato products in mind. Your friends and family members will be impressed by your Rustic Tomato Goat Cheese Galette and Fire Roasted Chipotle Pozole and cocktails, such as the Spicy Mezcal Margarita. Muir Glen has partnered with the Xerces Society to plant pollinator habitats on the farms that grow their tomatoes.
- Your holiday table will look gorgeous displayed with recipes using Justin’s products, including appetizers, entrées, desserts, and even impressive drinks like Apple Cinnamon Bourbon Smash and Super Dark Chocolate Espresso Hot Chocolate. As a supporting partner of People and Pollinators Action Network, Justin’s helps protect pollinators through habitat conservation and expansion, sustainable agriculture, research and education.
- Raspberry Sorbet Chocolate Wine Bonbons or Non-Dairy Triple Chocolate Cake using delicious Häagen-Dazs products. This company has donated over one million dollars to pollinator education and research and is developing a bee habitat.
- Greet ‘n Grow, or stock up on any style of the variety from punny Christmas cards to your post-party Thank You cards. Either way, you’ll be helping the bees when the wildflower-infused cards are planted in the spring!
When you’re planning for this year’s holiday gifts and festivities, consider supporting businesses that donate to organizations championing bees and their habitats. Put your dollars to work for our pollinators.