Thank you for printing the CP story about the dire effects that climate change is having on bumble bees around the world (Friday, July 10 issue).
The research highlighted in the article provides more stark evidence of climate destabilization effects that are well underway.
We all need to be dismayed by the loss of bumble bees - they're our most important native pollinating insects in northern regions (honey bees, while helpful, are not native to North or South America, and in some cases, they are not the most effective pollinators of native plants).
Bumble bees are critical to healthy natural ecosystems and provide excellent pollination of many cultivated food plants such as raspberries.
There are numerous simple things each of us can do to help bumble bees and other native bees - they're not aggressive, and sting only when they feel threatened.
Encouraging them to live and nest in our yards and public and private gardens is a great benefit to both bees and humans.
Quiet observation of bees collecting nectar and pollen from flowers is a terrific way for kids, and adults, to reconnect with the natural world.
The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation (Xerces.org) has a wealth of bumble bee and native bee information that is freely available for downloading and the steps are easy to follow.
The happy sound of buzzing bees visiting flowers on a warm summer's day cannot be left to become a memory.
Thanks again for printing this important information.
Lynn Westcott
Entomologist
Smithers and Prince George
