Help the Bees, Knit mitts! – while many domesticated honey bees are nonnative European, there are NUMERUOUS Native species of bees that are becoming endangered .
Bombus sylvicola is a species of bumblebee native to North America, commonly known as the Forest Bumblebee. It is another species that is sadly decline. “As the current climate change progresses, longer-tongued individuals are becoming less common in the population because flowers with long corollas are becoming less abundant. Shorter-tongued bees are having more success as generalist foragers among the available flora.”
This bumble bee has also had a significant habitat loss with drought, new construction, concrete and other factors diminishing top soil and native plants. The exotic nonnative flowers being a priority in landscaping rather than their native food sources, combined with immaculate landscaping practices that have removed their nesting habitats, have created hardships for the forest bumblebee. To help raise awareness invite others to consider xeriscaping- (using native plants that require less mainteince and water), participating in “no mow May” or “leave the leaves” and help increase the viability of the Bumble bee habitat. I encourage you to knit these mitts and to use them as a conversation starter.

Designed for Periwinkle Sheep’s 20th Anniversary