Google celebrated the planet on April 22, 2020 by putting the limelight into one of the smallest and most important organisms on the planet—the bee. The most popular search engine in the world rolled out an interactive Doodle experience (that included an interactive game) for online users to learn more fun facts about the bees and their importance in sustaining life on earth.
Bees pollinate one in every three bites of food we eat, according to The Honeybee Conservancy Founder and Executive Director Guillermo Fernandez. “There are 20,000 species of bees around the world who do this essential work. In North America alone, currently one in four of the 4,000 native bee species are at risk of extinction. On a larger scale, the world’s survival depends on theirs,” he said.
The Google Doodle made the 50th celebration of Earth Day more special. It captured the impact a single bee brings about on plants and habitats. The Doodle, which lasted for a day, was aimed at reminding everyone how small actions performed by individuals everywhere add up to big results. Fernandez collaborated with Google in bringing to the world the message that there are many ways we can all help save the bees, even while social distancing these days:
1. Support your local beekeeper.
When buying honey and beeswax products, opt for the locally made choices to help local beekeepers, who sustainably raise bees and boost the community at the same time.
2. Donate time or fund to local environmental groups.
Bees are part of a complex ecosystem. Contributions to organizations that support any conservation effort will help strengthen the environment.
3. Make safe havens for native bees.
Most native bees have a solitary lifestyle. About 30% live in holes inside trees and about 70% live underground. Give them shelter by providing exposed, undisturbed soil or nesting boxes that you can buy or make yourself.
4. Create a bee bath.
Fill a shallow bird bath or bowl with clean water and arrange stones inside so that they poke out of the water. Bees will land on the stones to drink on breaks from foraging and pollinating.
5. Plant a pollinator garden.
Diversify sources of bee nutrition while beautifying spaces with pollinator-friendly plants. Make a garden in spaces ranging from window boxes to full yards, and consider using a mix of multi-season blooms to provide year-round sustenance.