The Pollinator Conservation Conversation: Q & A with Xerces Society Executive Director Scott Hoffman Black (Part 2)

Wild bee visiting Vilicus Farms pollinator habitat | Photo Courtesy of Xerces Society

Quality cocktail ingredients rely on pollinators! That’s why we’re passionate about learning and doing more for pollinator conservation. We recently sat down with the Executive Director of the Xerces Society to talk more about the importance of pollination. If you haven’t yet, check out part one of our interview.

Lots of people might not realize how important pollinators are to their favorite foods. We know that European honeybees (Apis mellifera) are the best-known food-producing insects thanks to their honey (and are responsible for our delicious cocktails!). What other insects produce foods, and have you tried any of the foods? We’d love to know your favorites.  

Honeybees are very important for pollination of our crops, but what many people do not realize is that many native bees are also important pollinators.  Bumble bees, mason bees, and leaf cutter bees are very important for berries and fruit, like apples and cherries.  Many people are also unaware that bats pollinate mango, guava, and agave (used to make tequila). I guess my favorite is chocolate. Midges (tiny flies) are responsible for pollinating cacao's tiny flowers, as other insects can’t access the flower's reproductive structures. 

All of CanBee’s cocktails will feature honey as a signature ingredient! What’s your favorite way to add honey to a cocktail?  

I have to admit, I do not really make cocktails at home. I know I need to up my game! I do enjoy a Bee’s Knees when I am out on the town, though.  

While all of us at CanBee Cocktails love a good cocktail, we are also working to make an important difference in pollinator conservation. Let’s shift gears and talk about why pollinators need our help. Are our pollinators in crisis? What's causing them to decline or disappear? 

Pollinators are indeed imperiled. Research by Xerces Society scientists indicates that approximately 25% of all North American bumble bee species are threatened with extinction. In the eastern U.S., monarch butterflies have declined by over 80% and this year’s counts showed they continue to decline. In the western U.S., migratory monarch butterflies have declined by 99.9% since the 1980s, and several other formerly common butterfly species have also undergone significant declines. A recent study published in the journal Science found that the abundance of butterflies in the West has been declining at the alarming rate of 1.6% each year. 

There are many issues leading to pollinator declines: habitat loss, pesticide use, unsustainable farming practices, disease, and climate change. 

Which pollinators should we be most worried about in terms of conservation?  

All of our native pollinators may be threatened in the coming decades. The Xerces Society focuses both on the most endangered species (like the rusty patched bumble bee and the monarch butterfly) as well as on keeping populations of our many pollinators strong. Whether we are focused on important crop pollinators like bumble bees, iconic species like the monarch butterfly, or tiny yellow faced bees in Hawaii, we need to ensure we support these animals.   

What are some steps the average person can take to "Save the Bees,” and other pollinators, too?

I know I have just depressed everyone with all my statistics and talk about declines and threats.  The cool thing about pollinators and other beneficial insects is that anyone can help them.  Even a small plot of land can be made into a pollinator haven. Plant a diversity of flowers that bloom from spring until fall, provide nesting sites for bees and host plants for butterflies, do not use pesticides, and get others involved. If you do not have a garden, help with your pocketbook. Buy produce that was grown using organic and sustainable methods. Also, all of us can cut our personal carbon footprint and vote for people who value science and conservation. You can also help us track bumble bees by joining our bumble bee community science effort here. 

Thanks again for chatting with us today. After reading this blog, if someone was looking to get more involved, or learn more about pollinators, where would you send them? 

Just go to www.xerces.org. Whether you are a farmer, a park manager or gardener, you will find everything you need! 

Drink CanBee. Make a Difference. 

Now that you’ve learned all about the Xerces Society and how to be an advocate for pollinator conservation, you’ve earned a fantastic cocktail. Start your pollinator advocacy by getting your hands on some CanBee Bee’s Knees! A portion of all sales directly benefits all of the Xerces Society’s efforts.