How to Save the Honey Bees, and Butterflies, and Other Pollinators

Opening was recorded at Apimondia in Copenhagen. This episode blends field notes and a feel-good interview with Elsa Gallagher of the Bee & Butterfly Habitat Fund.

Practical beekeeping takeaways: habitat is the foundation for bees, and forage diversity consistently outperforms monocultures.

Gallagher explains how her team equips landowners with locally adapted seed mixes: a native “picture” bordered by a clover-rich “bee mix,” free for 2–25 acre projects and cost-share above that. She outlines city and campus pathways, from park strips to roadside plantings, stressing the power of local champions.

For small yards, the advice is simple: mow less, overseed Dutch white clover, reduce pesticides, and plant bloom succession—willows in spring, clovers and phacelia in summer, sunflowers and asters in fall.

Monarch support is easy too: add common or swamp milkweed; the butterflies find it.

We also discuss pesticide realities, mosquito spraying, and why building habitat reduces chemical dependence over time.

Whether you run two hives or a commercial yard, this conversation centers love of bees, resilient beekeeping, and healthier landscapes for every honey bee. and beyond.

It's all about having fun while we learn about beekeeping and sharing the love of honey bees!

Video Version: https://youtu.be/yE7KGAFg6IE

Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Mann Lake! https://www.mannlakeltd.com/

Mann Lake discount code: MLBEELOVE10 for $10 off your first $100 order.

https://www.beelovebeekeeping.com/

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https://www.beeandbutterflyfund.org/