Oregon becomes first state to honor native bees

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has proclaimed Aug. 15 this year as Oregon Native Bees Conservation Awareness Day.

“Wild and native bees being critical for pollination services for Oregon’s cultivated agriculture, natural ecosystems and wildlife, it is critical that conservation efforts are developed to support and improve existing populations,” Brown’s proclamation reads.

Beyond Toxics, a Eugene-based environmental group, requested the proclamation.

Five North American species of wild bees are suffering severe population losses and two are on the brink of extinction, the group said. Native bees are threatened by habitat loss, disease and pesticides.

“Oregon has played a leading role in protecting bees,” said Lisa Arkin, the group’s executive director. “I’m pleased that Oregon is the first state to formally acknowledge the importance of protecting wild and native bees.”

The state has made headlines the past two years for mass bee kills, including one, at a Wilsonville shopping center, that was the nation’s largest.

Both involved a class of pesticides called neonicotinoids.

Since then, The Oregon Department of Agriculture has banned the use of some neonicotinoid pesticides on certain species of trees.

ODA also launched an online pesticide reporting system to take complaints of mass bee deaths, as well as other possible pesticide problems.

And the legislature this year funded a bee health diagnostic facility at Oregon State University, and funded OSU Extension Service activities relating to pollinator health.

Earlier this year, the Governor designated June 15-21 as Oregon Pollinator Week.

tloew@statesmanjournal.com, (503) 399-6779 or follow at Twitter.com/Tracy_Loew