The Most Important Living Being on Earth

The Keystone Species That Sustains Our World

Bees…Beyond Honey!

Bees are more than honey producers; they are a keystone species, meaning their survival directly impacts the health of entire ecosystems. Some experts even call bees “the most important being on Earth*” because approximately 70% of global agriculture depends exclusively on bee pollination.

Without bees, food production would decline drastically, biodiversity would suffer, and entire ecosystems would face collapse. Their role extends far beyond providing us with honey—bees are responsible for the reproduction of countless plant species that sustain wildlife, livestock, and human diets.

Pollination Powerhouses

Bees, particularly the western honeybee (Apis mellifera), play an essential role in pollination, a process critical for the reproduction of over 75% of flowering plants and nearly 35% of global food crops. Their work directly supports food security, environmental health, and economic stability.

Essential Crops Pollinated by Bees

Bees contribute to the production of a vast array of foods, ensuring both human and animal nutrition. Key crops that depend on bee pollination include:

Fruits: Apples, blueberries, oranger, cherries, cranberries, melons, peaches, pears, plums, raspberries, strawberries, etc…
Vegetables: Broccoli, carrots (seed production), cucumbers, pumpkins, squash, tomatoes, etc…
Nuts: Almonds (entirely dependent on bees), cashews, etc…
Legumes: Beans, lentils, peas, etc…
Oils & Seeds: Canola, sunflower, sesame, etc…
Beverages: Coffee, tea (indirectly through ecosystem health), etc…

Bees and Livestock

Beyond human food, bees also support crops essential to our livestock feed, making them crucial to dairy, meat, and poultry industries.

Alfalfa & Clover: Primary forage for cattle and ndairy cows
Soybeans: A major component of livestock feed worldwide
Forage Crops: Pollinated plants that sustain grazing animals and improve soil health

Environmental Benefits of Bees

Bees contribute to ecosystem balance in ways that go beyond pollination:

Habitat Creation: By pollinating native plants, bees support the survival of countless other species, from birds to mammals.
Soil Health: Pollination sustains cover crops that prevent soil erosion and enhance fertility.
Carbon Sequestration: Thriving plant populations help store carbon, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Economic Contributions

The global economic value of bee pollination services is substantial. A 2024 study suggests that pollination services contribute over $800 billion in gross economic value, and in the United States alone, pollinators add more than $18 billion in revenue** to crop production. Without bees, entire agricultural industries would struggle to survive, affecting food prices, supply chains, and global economies.

Threats to Bee Populations & Call to Action

Protecting bees is not just about saving a species—it’s about safeguarding the very foundation of food production and environmental stability.

How individuals, businesses, and farmers can support bees:

Plant Pollinator Habitats: Incorporate wildflowers and native plants in landscapes.
Reduce Chemical Use: Limit pesticides and herbicides that harm pollinators.
Support Sustainable Agriculture: Choose food products sourced from bee-friendly

A World Without Bees?

If bee populations continue to decline, the consequences could be catastrophic—not just for honey production, but for food security, biodiversity, and ecosystems worldwide. As a keystone species, bees hold the entire food web together. Their critical role in pollination makes them indispensable to life as we know it. Protecting and supporting bees is not just an environmental issue—it’s a human survival issue.

Save the Bee

Founded in 2012, Save the Bee (www.savethebee.org) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit (EIN 88-2062693) on a mission to help bees and humans thrive. Bees are crucial to our survival, pollinating 75% of the fruits, nuts, and vegetables that keep us healthy. Bees enable forage for our livestock, fiber for our clothing, and of course, honey! Yet, bees face critical threats from pesticides, diseases, and habitat loss. Save the Bee funds research on bee and hive health, plants millions of square feet of pollinator habitat, and inspires and educates the next generation of beekeepers, bee enthusiasts, and bee habitat stewards. Join us and Save the Bee. www.savethebee.org

Gilbert Park Community Day

"Bugs, Bats & Bees" - Sunday, June 8 11-2pm