Earn As a Beekeeper
Like butterflies and fireflies , bee populations have been hit hard by habitat loss. Honeybees are important pollinators for a wide variety of plants, and while bee colonies have survived slightly better than expected over the past year, data show declines of up to 90% in some areas over a 15-year period.
This is why the American Bee Project is looking for property owners who are willing to lease their land to commercial beekeepers and help them get compensation for it.
Here are a few things you can do to boost your bee conservation efforts.
Apply for beekeeping tax credit
There is technically no credit for just keeping bees, but if you work with the American Bee Project to host a commercial apiary on your property, you may be eligible for agricultural tax classification and related credits. The project has a state guide on beekeeping regulations and tax qualifications, so find your state to see if you qualify and refer to the project for more information on how to get started.
Check out your local backyard beekeeping laws
Even if your property does not qualify for a tax credit, you can still maintain your apiary. First, you will need to check the rules and regulations of your city for beekeeping, as it is unlikely that you can just buy a hive and put it in your yard. For example , in Salt Lake City, you need to apply for a permit and meet certain space and building requirements.
Since there is no single government agency dedicated to civilian beekeeping, the easiest way to track down your local laws is to google “beekeeping in [your city]” – this search can also bring up local beekeeping organizations you can contact for more information. resources.
Build a bee garden or sauna
If you don’t want to breed bees yourself, there are many more things you can do to support their conservation. The Honeybee Conservancy has a list of activities for different commitment levels. These range from planting bee-friendly trees and gardens, to creating bee baths (similar to bird baths) to sponsoring a beehive in a school or community garden.
And, of course, there are simple steps, like signing pesticide petitions , that you can take right now from the comfort of your couch. The Xerses Society is a great resource for preserving all that exists.