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Small but Mighty: How Protecting Bees Helps Biodiversity Thrive

May brings two powerful reminders of our connection to nature: World Bee Day (May 20) and the International Day for Biological Diversity (May 22). Though they highlight different causes, they are deeply intertwined. Bees are not just buzzing visitors to our gardens—they are essential players in the intricate web of biodiversity that supports all life on Earth.


Why Bees Matter More Than You Think

Bees are some of the most important pollinators on the planet. About one-third of the food we eat—from apples to almonds—depends on pollinators like bees. But their impact goes far beyond our dinner plates.


By pollinating plants, bees help maintain the health of entire ecosystems. These plants support other wildlife, provide oxygen, and prevent erosion. In short, bees are a keystone species—when they thrive, the rest of the system can too.


It’s not just honeybees, either. There are over 20,000 species of bees worldwide, many of which are wild, solitary pollinators critical to local ecosystems.


Declining Populations

Sadly pollinator populations are in decline. This is due to habitat loss, farming practices, changes in weather patterns and the excessive use of pesticides. Air pollution is also thought to be affecting bees. Preliminary research shows that air pollutants interact with scent molecules released by plants which bees need to locate food. The mixed signals interfere with the bees’ ability to forage efficiently, making them slower and less effective at pollination. The answer to protecting the pollinator population is - biodiversity!


The Bigger Picture: What Biodiversity Really Means



Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth—every species of plant, animal, fungus, and microbe, and the ecosystems they form. It’s not just about saving polar bears or tropical rainforests—it’s the very foundation of our survival.


Here’s why biodiversity matters:

  • Healthy Ecosystems: Diverse ecosystems are more productive, stable, and resilient. When many species interact, they perform essential services—pollinating crops, purifying water, breaking down waste, and maintaining soil fertility.

  • Climate Resilience: Biodiverse forests, wetlands, and oceans absorb and store vast amounts of carbon. They also protect against floods, droughts, and extreme weather by regulating temperature and water cycles.

  • Human Health: Many modern medicines come from nature—willow bark (aspirin), fungi (penicillin), or rainforest plants used in cancer treatment. Losing biodiversity means losing potential cures.

  • Food Security: A range of species and genes ensures our crops and livestock can adapt to pests, diseases, and a changing climate. Monocultures are far more vulnerable to collapse.


When biodiversity is lost, the systems we rely on become weaker, less efficient, and more prone to breakdown. And often, pollinators, like bees, are among the first to feel that stress.



What You Can Do to Help (and It’s Easier Than You Think)


You don’t need a farm or forest to make a difference. Here are 6 simple ways you can support bees and biodiversity, starting today:

Plant a Pollinator Garden

Where to Get Plants:

  • Visit Mahoney’s Garden Center in Winchester for native flowering plants like purple coneflower, milkweed, and bee balm.

  • Check out local events by Mass Pollinator Network for plant sales and seed swaps.



🌱 What to Plant in Medford 🌱

Native favorites include goldenrod, New England aster, and black-eyed Susan—they thrive locally and attract bees and butterflies.


Skip the Pesticides

Avoid using lawn chemicals or “weed and feed” products that harm bees and runoff with rain water into the Mystic River. Choose organic alternatives or simply let your lawn go a little wild—clover and dandelions are early food sources for pollinators.


Support Organic & Regenerative Farming

Shop Locally:

  • Visit the Medford Farmers Market (Thursdays, June–October) at the Condon Shell for organic produce and local honey.

  • Look for vendors like Silverwood Organic Farm or Stillman’s Farm, which use pollinator-friendly practices.


Buy Local Honey and Bee-Friendly Products

Where to Find It:


Create a Bee Hotel or Wild Yard Space


  • Leave a patch of bare soil or build a bee hotel using hollow stems or drilled logs (lots of guides available through Mass Audubon).


  • Medford’s smaller yards can still provide critical habitat by avoiding mowing parts of the lawn during “No Mow May.”




Raise Your Voice for Biodiversity

Get Involved Locally:


The fate of bees and biodiversity may seem like a big, global issue—but it’s also deeply personal. Every flower you plant, every plastic-free choice you make, every patch of green space you protect—it all adds up.


So this May, let’s honor the small creatures that hold our ecosystems together. Because when we protect bees, we protect biodiversity—and when we protect biodiversity, we protect ourselves.



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