Bees and other pollinators play an essential role in agriculture, but their numbers have been on the decline for decades. A new initiative started at Michigan State University is bringing together the resources across the state to try and help boost their populations. Current State talks to Meghan Milbrath, who coordinates the Michigan Pollinator Initiative, about her work.
Did you pick up any Michigan blueberries at the farmer’s market this summer? Or maybe you topped off this morning’s oatmeal with some almonds? Well, you can thank a bee for that.
Honeybees are responsible for one in three mouthfuls of the food you eat. A new project from Michigan State is trying to make sure that they are around for a long time to come.
But it's been a tough several years for honeybees. Beekeepers have been losing an average of around 30% of their hives every winter. The USDA says that poses a serious threat to the nation’s food supply. A new project at Michigan State University is investing in research and education to keep Michigan's bee hives healthy.
Current State talks to Meghan Milbrath. She’s an academic specialist in the Entomology Department at MSU and the coordinator for the Michigan Pollinator Initiative.
This segment is supported by Michigan State University's Knight Center for Environmental Journalism. More news about the Great Lakes environment can be found at GreatLakesEcho.org and on Current State every Tuesday as part of our partnership.