There are over 4,000 colonies on this US Territory and
approximately 130 beekeepers trying to manage on
an island where most of the plants were ripped out or
mowed down by Hurricane Maria.
Much of the island has no basic necessities such
as water, electricity and the infrastructure has been
devastated making recovery that much worse. Nearly
$780 million in crop losses have been recorded and
these beekeepers provide pollination services that are
critical to all fruits and vegetables in addition to coffee.
These bees, more than ever, are vital to the recovery of
Puerto Rican agriculture.
Beekeepers are trying to keep them alive in the short term
by providing sugar water; but without a floral resource
to provide essential proteins through pollen, surviving
colonies are at risk of collapsing. In the continental U.S.,
beekeepers have access to commercially produced
protein sources, in powdered form and patties. These
commercial sources have been critical to beekeepers
in Florida and Texas: however, these sources are
unavailable in Puerto Rico.
Hurricane Maria also destroyed many of the Langstroth
wooden hives used by beekeepers to house their bees.
Bees that survived the destruction of their hives have
swarmed, taking up residence in people’s homes and
other structures. The beekeepers have reached out to
USDA, APHIS and the private sector seeking help.
Beekeepers in the U.S. Virgin Islands are facing similar
challenges, and we are working to learn more about
their situation.
Unless we take immediate action to help them recover,
both honey bees and production agriculture in Puerto
Rico will remain at risk. Please help by contributing
online at:
Finally, so, maybe the 2nd question shouldn’t be “What
can I do”, is “Why aren’t you
?
”
Karen Rennich,
Executive
Director of the
Bee Informed
Partnership, Inc.
Honey bee landing on a dandelion. Photo courtesy of the Bee
Informed Partnership.
California almond growers count
on healthy bee populations for
healthy crops,” said Alicia Rockwell,
Director of Public Affairs for
Blue Diamond Growers. “By
investing in the Caribbean Bee
Rescue Campaign, Blue Diamond
extends its commitment to help
bees all over the world
survive and thrive.
To help drive momentum for the Caribbean Bee
Rescue Campaign,
Blue Diamond Growers
pledged
to match $5,000 in GoFundMe donations, doubling
the contributions of future supporters.
“California almond growers count on healthy
bee populations for healthy crops,” said Alicia
Rockwell, Director of Public Affairs for
Blue Diamond
Growers
. “By investing in the Caribbean Bee Rescue
Campaign,
Blue Diamond
extends its commitment to
help bees all over the world survive and thrive.”
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