Bees are vital to agriculture. Bees play a very important role by pollinating flowering plants. Many agricultural crops rely on bee pollination. The value of honey bee pollination to U.S. agriculture is 14.6 billion dollars annually. About 30% of all foods consumed are produced because of pollinating insects. 80% of insect crop pollination is accomplished by honey bees. The almond crop is completely dependent on pollination from honey bees. Without honey bees, there would be no almonds produced. Other crops are 90% dependent on honey bee pollination. Some of these crops include: apples, avocados, blueberries, cherries, cranberries and sunflowers. Many other fruits and vegetables are pollinated by bees.

Here are some tips to attract bees to your backyard:

• Flowers blue, purple, yellow or white in color are appealing to bees
• Provide pollen and nectar resources throughout the seasons with successive blooming flowers in the spring, summer and fall
• Landscape with a variety of flowers, shrubs and trees
• Plant ten or more plant species to attract the most bees
• Plant flowers close in an area
• Bees need a source of water nearby
• If you have to use pesticides, apply at night when bees are not active

Herbs attract and are very appealing to bees. Chamomile, lavender, mint, oregano, sage and thyme are herbs that bees enjoy. Native plants also attract bees. Black Eyed Susan, Wild Bergamot, Ironweed, Butterfly Milkweed, Joe Pye Weed, New England Aster, Pale Purple Coneflower, Stiff Goldenrod, Prairie Blazing Star, Swamp Milkweed, Culver's Root and Mountain Mint are great examples. Many of these native plant species are enjoyed by butterflies as well.

The Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District is conducting its annual native plant sale on Friday, June 11, 2010. Over twenty native plant species will be sold. Some species include Butterfly Milkweed, Mountain Mint, Pale Purple Coneflower, Purple Prairie Clover and Smooth Blue Aster. Native plants in 2" by 4" plugs are $2 each, and native plants in one gallon pots are $5 each. Please contact Monica Stevens at the Henry County SWCD at 309.937.5263, extension 3 for more information about native plant species. Visit the website at www.henrycountyilswcd.com for order forms or for more information regarding the native plant sale.

- Monica Stevens, Resource Conservationist

2010 celebrates the 40th anniversary of Earth Day! The idea for Earth Day developed over a period of seven years. Senator Gaylord Nelson was concerned that the state of the environment was politically, a non-issue. In 1962, Senator Nelson persuaded Attorney General Robert Kennedy and President John Kennedy to confront the environment as a political issue. President Kennedy began a five-day, eleven-state conservation tour in 1963. Senator Nelson continued his environmental speeches out west during a time of war demonstrations on college campuses swept across the nation. Nelson used this energy to put the environmental cause on the political agenda. At a conference in Seattle in 1969, Nelson invited everyone to participate in a nationwide environmental demonstration. Because of the grassroots level effort, 20 million United States citizens observed the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970.

What does recycling achieve in Illinois?

• Keeps 5 million tons of useful materials out of the landfill every year
• Saves enough energy to provide heat and light for 400,000 homes every year
• Reduces water pollution by 21,000 tons of contaminants each year
• Reduces air pollution by 131,000 tons of contaminants each year
• Saves 53.3 million trees each year by recycling paper

What are rain barrels? How are they useful?

• System of collecting and storing water from roofs of homes, barns and sheds
• Reduce stormwater runoff
• Protect and conserve an important natural resource, water
• Provide pure, natural water for watering landscaping, gardens, washing cars and windows

Why are trees important?

• Improve water and air quality
• Remove carbon dioxide from the air and produce oxygen
• Prevent soil erosion
• Provide food and shelter for wildlife
• Provide shade from sun
• Reduce heating and cooling costs by 20-50 percent
• Create a visually eye appealing environment

Earth Day is a great reminder that we should be good stewards of the land and natural resources. Though Earth Day is celebrated once a year, we should observe it every day in our actions. Find your own way to be a steward in your community, at home, school or work! Conserving energy; reducing, reusing, and recycling materials; composting; using rainwater for a later use; planting trees, shrubs and native plants are all some of the great ways to become greener. Be a part of the 40th anniverary of Earth Day on April 22nd!

- Monica Stevens, Resource Conservationist

Conservation Habits = Healthy Habitats is the Soil and Water Stewardship theme for 2010. It is a thought provoking and profound theme. Take a few moments and give it some thought. We are resposible for our actions. Our actions result in either positive or negative consequences. For this reason, we need to be good stewards of the land and natural resources.

What is Conservation? Conservation is the careful management of the environment and naturla resources. In the words of Aldo Leopold, "Conservation is a state of harmony between men and land." It is important to properly care for the environment surrounding us. Conservation is vital to habitats. Without the use of conservation, plant and animal species may become endangered or extinct.

What is a habitat? A habitat is an ecological or environmental area that is inhabited by a particular plant or animal species. Habitats are the natural environment in which an organism lives or the physical environment that surrounds a speices population.

What is a habit? A habit is an action or pattern of behavior repeated until it is almost automatic. So, conservation habits are consistent actions that protect and manage natural resources. Developing healthy habits will establish and sustain healthy habitats. Wee need to carry out healthy habits in our backyards, communities, schools, places of work, and farms.

A healthy habitat provides numerous resources and offers many benefits. Soil sustains life. Through soil, plants are supplied with minerals and nutrients essential for growth. Trees and plants release oxygen into the air, remove carbon dioxide from the air, and provide food and shelter to birds and mammals. Animals, birds and insects pollinate flowers. Over 80% of the world's flowering plants survive because of pollinators. We depend on flowering plants for production of fruits and vegetables. Pollinators are disappearing due to the lack or quality of habitat. Because of the declining habitat for pollinators, it is necessary that we develop and preserve their habitat.

Let's do our part in establishing healthy habits and building and protecting wildlife habitats. Each of us can make a difference starting in our own community. What can we do to provide or improve wildlife habitats? Adding a birdbath, planting native plants, planting trees and shrubs, installing a rain barrel to collect water, and recycling are just a few great ways to provide or protect habitats. In the words of Aldo Leopold, "A thing is right only when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the community; and the community includes the soil, water, fauna and flora, as well as the people."

- Monica Stevens, Resource Conservationist