How should we celebrate World Bee Day? Drink mead? Save a bee colony? Stop killing bees?

My recent post about a bee who rested for a moment on my deck underscores my understanding of the importance of this intelligent creature.

Here’s a website with all sorts of bee-related info: https://www.worldbeeday.org/en/

Why May 20, you might ask? And why Slovenia?

Slovenia proposed that 20 May be proclaimed World Bee Day. 

From the website: “In May, the northern hemisphere sees bees and nature develop profusely, while the southern hemisphere enters autumn, when hive products are harvested and the season of honey and honey-based products begins.”

“In addition, 20 May is the birth date of Anton Janša (1734–1773), a Slovenian beekeeper, the pioneer of modern beekeeping and one of the greatest authorities on the subject of bees.”

Even the United Nations recognizes today’s date as #WorldBeeDay. …To raise awareness of the importance of pollinators, the threats they face, and their contribution to sustainable development, the UN designated 20 May as World Bee Day.

So…I’m not sure who is the first entity to claim the title of World Bee Day–was it the United Nations or Slovenia?

But who cares, as long as awareness is raised and we all become more educated about these little yellow and black striped flying honey makers.