Bees Take Over Florence City Center For National Pollinator Week

FLORENCE, S.C. – A unique and buzzing event took place this past weekend in the heart of Florence, South Carolina. The city center was buzzing as it hosted a ‘Bee City Takeover’ event organized by the local city council and the City Farmers Market. The event coincided with an announcement by Florence Mayor Teresa Myers Ervin proclaiming June 17 – 23, 2024, as National Pollinator Week in the City of Florence.

Mayor Ervin officially announced the resolution in a gathering at the City Centers Farmers Market on Saturday. The resolution encouraged citizen participation in events that support and celebrate pollinators, emphasizing the intrinsic relation between our ecosystem, health, and agriculture to the work of these indefatigable little creatures.

Affiliate of Bee Cities USA

Adding to its eco-friendly credentials, the City of Florence was designated as a Bee City USA affiliate back in 2019. This made Florence one of only five cities in the state that have endorsed a set of commitments for creating sustainable habitats for pollinators.

Bee City Takeover Event

The Bee City Takeover event was organized as part of the city’s commitment to this mission. At the event, city residents had the chance to meet local beekeepers, shop for locally produced honey and plants, and learn more about protecting our pollinators.

Several local beekeeping associations, including the Pee Dee and Blackwater groups, took part in the event, providing knowledge, experiences, and even samples of local honey to the attendees.

Creating Awareness

Tom Cooke, Jr., a member of the Blackwater Beekeepers Association, engaged the attendees with an on-site observation hive housing 7,000 honeybees. Cooke, who raises bees to pollinate farms in Conway, shared valuable insights about the life of a honeybee and the incredible work they do.

Interestingly, he educated the visitors that an individual honeybee produces just about 1/12 of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime. By this standard, it would require over 2 million flower visits by bees to produce a pound of honey. Understandably, to accomplish these astounding tasks, honeybees never sleep.

Small Efforts, Big Impact

This event wasn’t just about spreading awareness. It aimed to inspire city residents to contribute positively towards this cause. Even small things such as planting pollinator-friendly trees and plants and reducing or eliminating the use of pesticides can make a considerable difference.

The USDA recommends incorporating shrubs and trees such as dogwood, blueberry, cherry, plum, willow, and poplar, which provide pollen, nectar, or both. They emerge in early spring when food is scarce for pollinators. Additionally, diverse flowers differing in colors, shapes, and scents can attract a variety of pollinators.

To sum it up, little bees play a massive role in sustaining our environment. This event was a small effort in paying tribute to these hard-working creatures and encouraging every individual to contribute to their protection and propagation.