World Bee Day is the global annual celebration of bees and the role they play within our ecosystems. On December 20th 2017, The United Nations General Assembly adopted by consensus a resolution declaring the 20th of May as World Bee Day. This came as a result of three year efforts and negotiations mainly influenced by UN procedures and the process of informing different UN member states.

The Republic of Slovenia, which championed the proclamation of World Bee Day, proposed that the month of May be chosen for the day’s celebration because in the Northern Hemisphere that is when bees are most active and reproductive, while in the Southern Hemisphere that is when bee products are harvested. Furthermore, they suggested the 20th to be the chosen day because that is on Anton Janša’s birthday, a famous apiarist who is known as the pioneer of modern day apiculture and expert in the field during his time.

World Bee Day is important because it helps raise awareness on the significance of pollinators like bees, the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development. Bees and other pollinators are said to ensure food security, nutrition and maintain biodiversity, however they are seen to be declining in abundance in different parts of the world, mainly due to anthropogenic activities.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), pollinators are essential to the production of micronutrient rich fruits, vegetables, seeds and oils that humans eat. More than 75% of the world’s food crops and 35% of the global agricultural land depend entirely or in part on animal pollination. Bearing all these facts in mind, it is therefore imperative that we prioritize environmental regeneration and pollinator protection and realize that we can each play our part in supporting, restoring and enhancing the role of pollinators.

One way you could join the buzz around bees is by donating to the Boland Trees for Bees Pledge Fund. 

In partnership, The Bee Effect and Boland Cellar have created a unique fund to plant trees that feed our honey bees. To expand their collaboration and support much-needed reforestation to mitigate climate change, support our water resources, and protect habitats, they have partnered with Greenpop’s Forests for Life reforestation projects. 

The goal is to plant 36,000 Trees for Bees by 2025, for a total of R4.5 million.

Support this initiative today by donating a tree for R120/$8.

Click here to donate.