The bee plays a critical role in our ecosystem, however, for the last decade or so, bee populations have been declining at an alarming rate. This is due to a number of reasons, such as pesticide use, climate change, pollution and more. Without bees, not only will we not have access to honey, a natural sweetener and antibiotic, but plants won't be pollinated, resulting in fewer flowers and possible food shortages. There are a number of small lifestyle changes that you can make to help support our ecosystem and its bee populations.

Use less chemicals

Using pesticides and chemical fertilisers in the garden can be fatal for bees. Opting for organic products and natural solutions to promote the health of your plants can make your garden safer for wildlife, especially bees. Purchasing organic fruits and vegetables, where possible, will help reduce demand for chemically treated produce and will also benefit the bees.

Plant bee friendly plants

Make your garden a haven for bees by planting lots of colourful attractive flowers. Some of the best flowers for bees are bee balm, echinacea, snapdragon, and hostas. Find out more about <a href="https://www.virtuegaming.co.uk/blog/creating-a-garden-to-attract-wildlife">how to create a wildlife-friendly garden</a> and make the most of your outdoor space in our article.

Even if you don't have access to a garden the same principles can be applied to window boxes. Alternatively, you can get involved with local projects and help enrich shared public spaces with bee-friendly plants and structures.

Support local beekeepers

By supporting local beekeepers, you can support local bees. Beekeepers do their utmost the ensure the safety and longevity of their bees. Even if honey isn't for you, many beekeepers create soaps, balms and candles which you can purchase. You can also help by contributing time or resources to local beekeepers where possible.

Eco-gaming with Virtue Gaming

You can help the environment, and therefore the bees, through video games. At Virtue Gaming, we support local and global environmental projects. You can get involved by playing and earning e-tokens which we can put towards community projects in your area. Find out more here.

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