Bee
Banquet

Bees play a crucial role in pollinating plants, including those in gardens. They are responsible for pollinating many food crops that humans rely on, such as fruits, nuts, and vegetables. Vegetables and fruit will not develop if a bee does not cross pollinate them. When bees visit gardens, they transfer pollen from the male parts of flowers to the female parts, enabling the plants to reproduce and produce fruits, vegetables, and seeds. This process is essential for the growth and diversity of plant species. Without bees visiting gardens, the overall ecosystem and food production would be significantly reduced.

Community bee feeders can be used by most people: gardening enthusiasts, nature lovers, environmental organizations and educators, to name a few. *Gardening enthusiasts and nature lovers may see the bee feeder as a way to attract and support pollinators in their gardens or local green spaces. *Environmental organizations may use community bee feeders as a tool to raise awareness about the importance of bees and their role in pollination. *Educators can use community bee feeders to provide "hands-on" learning opportunities for their students. They could create a math&/or science unit to have students observe and graph feeder visitors, food consumed, and how weather effects the bees activity. *These bee feeders can be used by anyone enjoying outdoor spaces or recreational activities. By placing a feeder away from that area, bees will be attracted elsewhere, away from your gatherings. This would be optimal for a pool, outdoor eating space or area where children play. *Beekeepers may also be interested in using a community bee feeder to provide supplementary food for their colonies during periods of low nectar flow.

Community bee feeders are needed for many reasons: *Supplementing Food Sources: Community bee feeders provide an additional food source for bees, especially during times when natural food sources may be scarce. This is particularly important in urban areas where there may be limited access to diverse and abundant floral resources. By offering bee feeders, we will ensure that bees have enough energy to forage and pollinate, which is crucial for their survival. *Supporting Bee Health: Bee feeders will help support the health of bee populations by providing them with a balanced diet. They can be filled with nectar or sugar water that mimics the natural nectar found in flowers. This helps bees maintain their energy levels and overall well-being. *Conservation Efforts: Community bee feeders play a role in conservation efforts, especially for native bee species that may be facing habitat loss or other threats. By providing them with supplementary food, we will help increase their chances of survival and promote their populations. *Educational Opportunities: Bee feeders in community settings can also serve as educational tools. They provide an opportunity for people to learn about the importance of bees, their role in pollination, and the challenges they face. By raising awareness and understanding, we can encourage individuals to take further action to protect bees and their habitats. Educators can also use a bee feeder to create "hands on learning" science &/or math units for their students. For example, they could count & graph visitors they observe during different weather conditions and measure and plot how quickly the liquid is consumed. Overall, community bee feeders are important for ensuring the well-being of bees, supporting their populations, and promoting the importance of pollinators in our ecosystems.

Bees are fed sugar water for many reasons. *Sugar water provides bees with the carbohydrates they need for energy. A 50/50 sugar water mixture is a perfect substitute for nectar and easy to provide for bees during times when there is a scarcity of nectar in the environment. This is especially important during the winter months when flowers are scarce. Year round, on days when the outside temperature goes above 40 degrees, foraging bees leave the hive to search for food. The brood and hive often run low on reserves during the cold months, so sugar water gives bees the necessary and needed nutritional source of energy. *Feeding bees sugar water is also done to support new colonies or weak colonies that may not have enough stored honey to survive. By providing them with a sugar water solution, beekeepers can ensure that the bees have enough food to thrive and build up their populations. This is especially important in fall & spring seasons when new colonies emerge. *Additionally, sugar water can be used to attract and lure bees to specific locations, such as when setting up bee traps or attracting bees to pollinate certain crops. The Bee-Banquet is also a convenient way to steer bees in your outdoor space elsewhere, while giving them a treat as a bonus!