Save the orcas? Save the bees

Native bee in rhododendron
Photo by Mike Remarcke

Did you know that 600+ bee species call Washington State home? Did you know that the majority of them are native bee species?

While none of our native bees make honey, or live in hives, native bees are the most important pollinators of wild plants, helping to maintain ecosystem diversity.

In addition, bees are essential to feed the world’s growing human population: On average, one out of every three bites of food people eat needs a pollinator to reproduce!

Bees also pollinate most of the plants growing next to streams that provide shade to keep our creeks, streams and rivers cool – no bees, no salmon!!

Want to save orcas? Save the bees!

--From Demarus Tevuk Sandlin for a presentation at Northwest Stream Center in Snohomish county.

She produces and writes educational content for Crown Bees, a mason and leafcutter bee company in Woodinville.