The Teddy Bears of the Bee World Are Endangered

I know what you’re probably thinking, how is already the middle of March? Well, we are feeling the same way. Since Spring is going to be here before we know it, we wanted to talk about the bumblebee!

Bumblebees are in great danger due to loss of habitat, disease, pesticides, and climate change. As a result of these problems, the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, known as Bombus affinis by scientists, has been classified as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. These insects call grasslands and prairies their home, but much of this land has lost, degraded, or fragmented in recent years. Climate change is one of the biggest, most salient issues regarding the declining population of these fuzzy insects.

Climate Change, Conservation, Endangered Species, WildlifeAndrea LutzMarch 12, 2021bees, insects, pesticides, endangered species

Suburban Wilderness

As winter slowly drips away and temps warm, I am easily distracted by thoughts of my garden. Daydreaming of that first bright warm day, usually in April, when I’ll throw on scrubby jeans, a sweatshirt, and my college cap and finally get my hands in the dirt. It isn’t glamorous, anyone would agree. The abundant blooms of June are much more gratifying. But after being stuck in my home all winter long I don’t mind that the only things to greet me are stalks of picked over coneflower and the bobbing seed heads of last season’s penstemon.

WildlifeAndrea LutzMarch 12, 2021gardening, wildlife, native plants, insects