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Health of Honey Bees: An Update
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Thank you for your thoughts and concerns related to the health of our honey bees. I can assure you that behind the scenes there are hundreds of individuals working feverishly to uncover the mystery behind the recent losses of honey bees across the world. It will take the efforts of us all to ensure a positive ending to this story.
Since 1918, the University of Minnesota has maintained an internationally recognized research and extension program on honey bees. In 1992, our Department of Entomology began its support of the only bee research and extension program within the five-state region. As you have seen, in recent years, the honey bee population has been severely threatened by diseases, parasitic mites, pesticides, and by the destruction of habitat necessary for prosperous honey bee colonies. We have recently begun the planning stages to build a new internationally recognized honey bee research facility that features a public space for teaching and outreach to help address these issues. This new interactive research lab will work in collaboration with our new Bell Museum of Natural History that is to be constructed in the next few years. The key goal of this public space within our honey bee lab will be to encourage public understanding and involvement in research and education at the University. This facility however will need to be funded mainly through private funds. We would welcome any support you have to offer, financial contributions, letters to your local newspaper highlighting the issue and need for support across the country and even contacting your local elected officials and encouraging them to pass the 2007 Farm Bill, that will give aid to researchers and honey beekeepers across the country, will help.
Again, thank you for your concern and support!
Marla Spivak
Professor,
College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences
University of Minnesota
Financial contributions can be sent to:
University of Minnesota Foundation
Fund #7168 Bee Center
C-M 3854
P.O. Box 70870
Saint Paul, MN 55170-3854
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