Over the past year, more than 40 percent of the country’s honey bee colonies have died off, and scientists are struggling to find out why. We discuss the possible for the decline, and where we can go from here. Then, we explore popular cheese pairings, and hear why one group is calling for the elimination of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Featured in this Show
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Federal Action To Save Bees After Bad News In Survey
A recent national survey finds bad news for bees, with vital pollinators seeing a big drop in numbers in states including Wisconsin–and the federal government is calling for action. A bee expert explains the possible causes for the decline–and solutions.
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New Report Proposes Eliminating U.S. Bureau Of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives
A new report is calling for the elimination of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. A reporter explains the reasons behind the recommendation.
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Researchers Welcome Federal Government's Plan To Restore Bee Population
The federal government announced a new initiative Tuesday to help declining honeybee populations that are crucial to the nation’s agriculture industry and food supply.
The announcement follows a year-long investigation from a task force created by the White House that examined how pesticides and land management threatens honeybees, monarch butterflies and other pollinating insects.
Keith Delaplane, director of the Honey Bee Program at the University of Georgia, said the new plan calls on federal agencies to plant bee-friendly gardens on land under their control.
“That’s a sizeable chunk of real estate,” said Delaplane. “If we were to make significant improvements in pollinator habitat just on federally owned lands, that would be a huge beneficial impact for our overall pollinator health and populations.”
Delaplane said the plan makes a loud statement to Americans that we have a big problem here.
“It’s mustering the resources and all the rhetorical power of the federal government. I think it’s really getting people’s attention and that’s a good first start,” he said.
Last week’s release of an annual survey of beekeepers found a substantial loss of bee colonies around the nation, with higher-than-average losses in Wisconsin and throughout the upper Midwest.
While bee populations have known to suffer mass die-offs during the winter months, Delaplane said researchers are beginning to find that bees are experiencing the same kind of declines in the summer months too.
“That was a big surprise. It’s troubling and unexpected,” he said.
Episode Credits
- Rob Ferrett Host
- Veronica Rueckert Host
- Keith Delaplane Guest
- John Diedrich Guest
- Chris Malina Producer
- Rob Ferrett Producer
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