Save The Bees: Avon Lake Community Meeting Will Focus On Pollinators

AVON LAKE, OH - You probably don't realize how important bees are to your way of life. Most folks know that bees help pollinate flowers. What most folks don't know is that bees also help pollinate the vast majority of edible crops in the world.

On March 1, the Environmental Affairs Advisory Board (EAAB) will put on a free presentation on the importance of bees. Beth Murphy, president of the Avon-on-the-Lake Garden Club, will lead the discussion. The event will be held at the Lake House, 32756 Lake Rd. and runs from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Erica Larson, chair of the EAAB, noted that recent headlines have detailed the gradual collapse of pollinating bees. In a 2015 Guardian article, it's noted that bees help pollinate 84 percent of crops.

"They’re very important for both food and flowers. Beth Murphy has been giving talks on the bee population and what we can do fight their decline," Larson told Patch.

Locally, Larson would like to see less residential pesticide use.

"I’d like to see fewer pesticides being used by residences in general," she said. "The city has been pretty good about creating habitats for bees to thrive. The community garden started a hive. They’re going to continue that next year. The Avon-on-the-Lake Garden Club has implemented different bee houses around the city. I think people are starting to take notice and do some things to help. In general, people need to think about what they’re using."

The EAAB reports to the city administration and city council on environmental issues. After doing an investigation of the issue, the group asks the city to take certain steps on the issues.

Larson says the EAAB will be arranging more speakers throughout the rest of 2017. She's still hammering down dates and times for those events.

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