Bee the Change Library Program
brought to you by Whole Kids Foundation + The Bee Cause Project
Program Purpose
The Bee Cause Project and the Whole Kids Foundation believe that you can Bee The Change! Our top priority is providing quality pollinator programming that is comprehensive and easily shared with your community for Earth Day 2022 and beyond.
Through this unique program, we will help libraries make small changes to improve pollinator habitats and promote even bigger changes in their community while supporting pollinator literacy. The program is designed to provide the tools that libraries need to create a plethora of spaces and activities on campus
- through the introduction of an indoor pollinator-focused learning area;
- an installation of pollinator-friendly habitat boosters on campus; and
- delivery of bee-themed pollinator activity kits to participating families.
Collectively, these steps will increase awareness of the plight of pollinators and inspire students and families to become environmental stewards.
Program Description
This program is the perfect way to introduce the community to the important ways to support pollinators and their habitats. These activities are fun for every library patron! The custom experience box contains enough supplies for 25 pollinator-themed activity kits to be used in conjunction with any library event. The 4 activities included in the experience box can be used for on-campus events or giveaways for library patrons. Each kit will include 4 separate activities that are family-friendly and age-appropriate. They are intended to start a conversation with children on the importance of pollinators and will help the library highlight the additional pollinator books that are now available in the library for checkout. Below please find our Resource Guide available for download. This contains all of the educational materials necessary to complete a successful program!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get started using all of these resources?
We recommend working with your administration and staff to form a Pollinator Team. Work as a team to decide how you will utilize the resources in the kit based on your unique needs. Hosting a Bee A Friend to Pollinator Event at your library is as easy as providing a read-aloud opportunity with one of our Book Club Challenge activities, assessing your campus with the lesson plan provided, and establishing your new pollinator-friendly grow bag.
Why are pollinators important?
Protecting our planet’s most precious pollinators should be everyone’s top priority. Bees are responsible for pollinating 70% of the top 100 food crops worldwide, that is one in every three bites of food on our plates. These hardworking insects also pollinate a wide variety of plants that provide food for other animals, and in the case of honey bees, produce wax, honey, and propolis. Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, flies, moths, and many other pollinators are also vital to our ecosystem providing food resources for other animals. Check out this resource – The Critical Importance of Pollinators.
How do I know if my campus is pollinator-friendly?
Great question! The Bee A Friend To Pollinators Lesson will help your Pollinator Team and your Event Guests determine your friendliness based on how many pollinating insects you find. And we’ve got easy suggestions on how to be more friendly as a result of this program.
Where can I find more information about Native Bees?
Native bees are fascinating and unique to each region of the country. We suggest researching what kinds of native bees live in your area. Students can get involved too. We recommend Kiddle.co for kid-friendly research. Check out these videos for more information – Mason Bees Are A Gardener’s Best Friend and Native Bee Diversity in North America.
How do I know what will grow in my area to attract pollinators?
We recommend using this Ecoregional Planting Guide to learn more about what works in your area. Then talk to your local plant nursery to find out more about year-round blooms and proper soil use.
Who is The Bee Cause Project?
We are a non-profit organization with a mission to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards while protecting our planet’s precious pollinators. We offer grants and programs to schools and libraries across the country to support pollinator education in the classroom including STEAM curriculum and beekeeping resources. Learn more by watching Meet The Bee Cause Project.
Want to dig deeper? Help us pass on our passion for pollinators!
Pollinator education is our passion! We would love for you to help us raise awareness about the plight of pollinators. We offer numerous free resources for all ages. Click on the title above to enjoy and share pollinator-themed book suggestions, lesson plans, virtual field trips, and other resources to help us inspire young environmentalists!
Bee a Friend to Pollinators!
Want to learn how to make your backyard more pollinator-friendly? Join Ms. Patricia to help pollinators where you live, go to school, and where you play. Ms. Patricia will tell you about an exciting project you can do in your own backyard called Bee a friend to Pollinators. Produced with the Bee Cause Project and Clemson Cooperative Extension. After watching Ms. Patricia, you can download your own backyard assessment!!
The Bee Cause Project private label honey is available at Savannah Bee Company
Do you love honey? Our friends at Savannah Bee Company created private label honey to benefit our mission at The Bee Cause Project. Proceeds from the purchase of this honey help us to protect pollinators. Please go to Savannah Bee Company to purchase a delicious sweet treat!
