What does religion and spirituality have to do with bees?

As pollinators, bees are central to the preservation of our ecosystems and ensuring our food security. Yet our fields of grain have become too big for them to fly across, and the poisons used to kill insects that might eat our crops are deadly to bees as well. Should they die, we will lose a significant portion of our cultural and religious heritage as well as much of what we eat. The loss will be catastrophic.
 
People of faith are joining ranks with environmentalists and ecologists to contribute to preserving our pollinators. They do so for the same reasons, but sometimes with additional motivations:

• to help preserve the natural foundations of peoples whose food security is being threatened;
• to cooperate with poor people in finding new, sustainable sources of income;
  
• to strengthen their own communities with holistic occupations;
  
• to promote peace between disparate groups of people, thereby also fostering a healthier environment, socially and ecologically.

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​How can religious communities protect bees?

• Ask your pastor, imam, rabbi or Buddhist meditation teacher to talk about what your holy scriptures and traditions teach about taking care of our earthly home.
• In study groups, discuss the multiple understandings and images of bees and honey in your religious and cultural traditions over the centuries. Consider what's missing -- the non-honey-producing bees.
• Whether in Sunday School, Qu’ran lessons, or Baha’i junior-youth programs, teach young people about bees in fun ways, such as through honey tastings, or ask them to draw pictures or create theater pieces based on what they’ve learned.
• Make sure to include bees in all their diversity!
• Plant native plants around your house of worship.
  
• Create habitats for different kinds of bees by leaving the stems of flowers, some bare soil, old logs and pieces of wood.