Bees have been declared an endangered species – here’s how you can help nurture them in Manchester

“If the bee disappeared off the face of the Earth, man would only have four years left to live,” Albert Einstein once said.

Bees were recently declared the most important species on Earth by the Earthwatch Institute.

Seventy percent of the world’s agriculture depends on bees. Without bees, we would lose the plants they pollinate and the animals which eat those plants.

They are the only living species which does not carry any type of pathogen. That’s why it’s worrying that wildlife experts and scientists say that they have joined the endangered species long list.

In order to protect these hard-working creatures, some activists believe that we should  prohibit the use of pesticides immediately, promote completely natural agricultural alternatives and carefully monitor their health and welfare.

Manchester has a special relationship with the bee. It’s become the emblem of Manchester’s industrial past. The city was a hive of activity during the Industrial Revolution and workers were dubbed ‘busy bees.’

Manchester & District Beekeepers’ Association, a charity based at The Dower House in Heaton Park, train and educate members in the art of beekeeping through a range of courses, lectures, study and practical experience.

The park has a public viewing area, extraction room and a bee garden (apiary) with bee friendly plants. There are a number of honeybee hives in the apiary and also a safe observation hive in Dower House where you can watch the bees going about their business.

Learn how to help save the bees and enjoy a taste of local honey while you’re at it.

Sundays from 12pm – 3pm (winter) and 12pm – 4pm (summer).