The problem with the honey bee narrative
Most people nowadays are aware that bees are crucial for the planet due to their role in pollination and that their decline is an urgent environmental issue.
The problem is, they typically picture the honey bee whenever the subject is brought up. Honey bees are a hive-dwelling species known for making honey and living in managed colonies. This widespread image dominates the conversation, leading many to see the group of organisms we call “bees” as a homogeneous group, facing the same threats as honey bees. But reality is not that simple.
The end result of this public discourse is that unless you are deeply interested in the subject, chances are, you are now confused on the whole thing. Well, the time has come for Dots.eco and our network of digital and IRL impact-makers to tackle the “bee problem”.
The truth about native bees conservation
In reality, when environmentalists talk about the decline of bees, they are often referring to the broader decline in several different pollinating species. These include a vast array of wild and native bee species, as well as other species, like butterflies and bats. Honey bees, while crucial, are just one species in a much larger group of pollinators.
Wild and Native Bees Face Different Threats
The vast majority of bee species are wild and solitary, ranging from small ground-nesting bees to large, fuzzy bumblebees. Unlike honey bees, these wild species do not live in hives or rely on human intervention for survival, making them far more vulnerable to the pressures of modern agriculture and urbanization.
Native bees, which include species like carpenter bees, mason bees, and sweat bees, play irreplaceable roles in pollinating not just our crops but also many of the wild plants that maintain biodiversity. However, these species are often overlooked in favor of the more familiar honey bee, leading to confusion about their specific needs and the urgent threats they face.
A study from York University confirms that the public generally has limited knowledge about the variety and needs of native bees, reinforcing this misinformation.
These native bees, which include bumblebees, carpenter bees, and solitary ground bees, play irreplaceable roles in pollinating a wide variety of plants, including many that honey bees don’t visit. Although they face overall similar threats, like habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and climate change—these threats can still be considered unique since each bee species needs a different habitat and responds differently to pressures.
While beekeepers manage and protect honey bees, wild bees must survive in increasingly hostile environments without support. Many overlook this critical distinction, which leads to confusion about how to effectively protect diverse pollinator species and maintain healthy ecosystems.
Why native bees conservation need a paradigm shift
To truly support pollinators, the general perspective needs adjusting. We must shift focus from saving just honey bees to protecting the diverse, often invisible native bees that are essential for healthy ecosystems. This requires a much broader understanding of bee conservation and how bees interact with their ecosystems.
Native bees and plants rely on each other
Many native plants form the foundation of healthy ecosystems. For example:
- The whitebark pine plays a key role in subalpine North American landscapes (source)
- Mangrove trees are vital for coastal biodiversity (UNEP on mangroves)
- Oak trees support hundreds of species in European forests
These plant species provide food and shelter for other wildlife and support the overall biodiversity of our planet. But the truth is, even trees rely on other species, like bees, to survive.
Plants need pollinators to help them out with reproduction by carrying their pollen to other plants, while pollinators need plants for food, like nectar and/or pollen.
Effective conservation efforts support both sides of the pollination equation: healthy plant life and thriving pollinator populations. To truly help, we must go beyond increasing managed honey bee hives and instead address the systemic issues that threaten wild bee populations that are essential to the health of local ecosystems.
Scientific literature and recent reviews of ecological research also highlight the need to shift strategies toward habitat-specific, pollinator-specific solutions.
Restoring natural habitats and creating wild bee-friendly spaces in urban areas are all part of the solution. Additionally, reducing pesticide use and promoting sustainable agricultural practices can help protect native bees from harmful chemicals. By embracing a more comprehensive approach to conservation, we can ensure the survival of both managed and wild pollinators, securing the health of our food systems while also ensuring the health of the natural environments that depend on wild pollinators.
What is Dots.eco doing?
Dots.eco is actively addressing the bee crisis by partnering with initiatives focused on providing custom solutions to local problems.
Some of our partners, like the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, focus on restoring natural habitats. The Xerces Society restores pollinator habitats by distributing Habitat Kits filled with native plants to individuals ready to help and restore their land. This hands-on approach brings diverse landscapes back to life and strengthens pollinator populations across the region.
But we don’t stop there! We also support crucial efforts to boost native bee populations through the research branch of our partners at The Best Bees Company. They maintain research apiaries across the US, creating and maintaining specialized nesting sites to stabilize and boost pollinator populations across the country.
Additionally, by also tackling human communities, residential and corporate properties, Best Bees is creating bee-friendly spaces in urban areas—all backed by research data to support the correct species needed for each case.
Join the swarm for native bee protection
By collaborating with these impactful efforts, we aim to support both managed and wild pollinators, ensuring the resilience of our food systems and the natural environments that rely on them.
- If you’re a company, feel free to book a demo with our team.
- If you’re an individual, you can make a buzz with us through our impact club Flow.
Let’s bee the change we want to see in the world…together. 🐝
