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Signature Assignment Final Draft

Kayla Murphy

PPE 310: Healthy Learning Communities

Arizona State University

Dr. Stock

December 4, 2017
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Environmental Effects of the Declining Bee Population

Introduction

One out of every three bites of food we eat depend entirely on bees (The Honeybee

Conservancy, n.d.). The environment can change dramatically if bees ever go extinct. Recently,

there was a possibility of a bee extinction, and many factors were involved and effected. Kayla is

studying the effect on the environment due to the decline of the bee population. Specific factors

Kayla will be studying include, but are not limited to, nutritional changes, income levels,

produce fluctuations, farm land, local grocery stores, and living situations. Not only is societys

nutrition effected, but healthy lifestyles can be diminished as well. Bees help pollinate our

produce, and produce helps support the communitys healthy living aspects. Bees are a crucial

role in our everyday lives, and even as the small insects they are, they make a large impact on

everyones lives. Kayla plans to understand the importance of bees, and what they can offer our

healthy living communities. So, next time you see a bee flying around, think of all the wonderful

opportunities they can offer, and the difference you can make from not swatting at that

honeybee, bumblebee, or any other insect in relation to bees.

Weebly Website: http://kaylammurphy.weebly.com/

Literature Review

The first research article studies the honey bee colony survival in Europe, and any key

risk factors that may be involved in the declination of the honey bee population. The method

these researchers used included an ethnographic experiment because they studied the bees in

their natural habitat. Throughout the experiment, the researchers would follow up with the

beekeepers apiaries before winter, after winter, and in the summer, and fill out questionnaires

regarding the health of the colonies. If the bee colonies portrayed signs of disease, the
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researchers would take samples to analyze in the lab. Throughout the method of this research,

they had collected 138 variables, and selected 26 variables for statistical analysis. Many aspects

were related to the 36 variables that were selected. Factors such as the beekeepers age and

experience, the type of production (Which kind of bee: honey, pollens, queen), the number of

colonies, the subspecies, the clinical diseases found, and the landscape in which the apiaries are

located. These factors were used as explanatory variables during the research process, and the

seasonal mortality rates were used as the response variable. According to the researchers results,

winter mortality rates range between 2% and 32%, and high summer losses are likely to follow

winter losses. Furthermore, when compared to professional beekeepers, beekeepers with little

experience and small apiaries had double the winter mortality rate. Also, during the investigative

visits, results displayed honeybees kept by professional beekeepers never showed signs of

disease unlike the apiaries from the hobbyist beekeepers. Overall, according to Honey Bee

Colony Survival in Europe, the main factors protecting honey bee colonies are the background

and experience of the beekeeper (A pan-European Epidemiological Study Reveals Honey Bee

Colony Survival depends on Beekeeper Education and Disease Control, 2017).

The second research article, Combined Pesticide Exposure severely affects individual-

and colony-level traits in Bees, contains researchers who studied pesticide exposure in

honeybees, both at individual(worker) and colony levels. The method behind the research varies

in comparison to the first research article. According to the first research article, the researchers

observed bees from the aviaries. However, in this experiment, the researchers observed the bees

in their labs. These researchers used a split-block method design (Experimental), in which 40

early-stage bumblebee colonies receive long-term (4 Weeks) exposure to two commonly used

pesticides on Flower-Crops. The two pesticides received were Imidacloprid and -cyhalothrin.
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As a result, the total worker production was significantly lower in the Imidacloprid treated

colonies. Furthermore, the researchers found that colonies treated with both pesticides suffered

more severely and overall, had higher worker losses than any of the colonies sprayed with

Imidacloprod (Combined Pesticide Exposure severely affects individual- and colony-level traits

in Bees, 2003).

Moving forward, the third article, Flight of the Bumble Bee: Buzzes predict Pollination

Services, researches bumble bee behavior and pollination services. The method behind this

research is acoustically surveying three locations to estimate the bumble bee activity. After

surveys were completed, the researchers analyzed and experimented to test density to predict

pollination services at different landscapes. The results from this experiment were quite

interesting! The researchers believe that based on their results, beekeepers and scientists can

detect and respond quickly to the decline of bee population. The results state that acoustic

measures of flight can indeed be determined to measure bee and pollination activity (Flight of

the Bumble Bee: Buzzes predict Pollination Services, 2010).

Nosema, a fungus that attacks the gut of the honey bee, is a major threat to the bee

population around the world (Hive Alive: Nosema-A Problem in Your Hive?, 2004). According

to the researchers in the fourth article, they used an experimental method to measure whether

nutritional supplements given to adult honey bees will impact the intensity of Nosema. In the

experiment, bees were obtained from the Bee Biology Research Unit at University of Florida,

contained in a reach-in incubator, with specific temperatures and humidity percentages. 15 adult

bees were placed into each cage in the lab, and either given the nutritional supplements or not.

As a result, bees whom were fed the Sucrose Inoculum, with pollen, had higher Nosema levels,

then the bees fed Sucrose Inoculum without the pollen. Furthermore, there were significantly
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higher Nosema levels in the bees who only received Pollen Inoculum. In other words, bees

whom received Sucrose Inoculum without the pollen were better off in concern to the Nosema

Disease.

With these four literature review research articles, it appears there are many factors

involved with the decline of the bee population. Factors such as the beekeeper experience, the

type of landscape, nutritional supplements, and pesticide exposure effect the fluctuation of the

bee population. However, according to the articles and their results from the research, bee

population can be monitored by scientists and professional beekeepers to ensure the population

of bees does not decline at a more rapid rate than it already has.

Synthesis of Information

According to the four research papers in the literature review, all researchers have come

to a general conclusion that there are indeed factors that cause the decline of the bee population.

Throughout all the articles, the researchers all mention that bees are a large part of our

environment, agriculture, and health, and it is important to monitor the bee population. Similar

themes throughout the four articles are the methods of research. In each article, the researchers

use experimental research methods to conclude their tests. The differing themes between the

research articles are what the researchers are studying. Each journal records different researchers

studying different factors that explain the decline of the bee population.

For example, in the first journal mentioned in the literature review, the researchers

focused on natural factors that could cause the bee population to decline, such as beekeeper

experience, location/landscape, type of production/bee, number of colonies, subspecies, and if

diseases are found in their apiaries. The second research recorded studies if pesticide is a factor,

and if so, what kind of pesticide. The third research article describes and studies the bee behavior
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and pollination activity, and the fourth article researches a common disease of bees that could

impact the bee population.

Overall, even though the articles have different conclusions regarding different factors,

Kayla can conclude that each of the factors researched in the articles can affect the bee

population negatively. With the conclusion and the known factors that can potentially decrease

the bee population, this information supports the need for The Honeybee Conservancy, and

finding healthy locations to build bee colonies and apiaries. According to the first journal, A pan-

European Epidemiological Study Reveals Honey Bee Colony Survival Depends on Beekeeper

Education and Disease Control, the researchers state, Honey bees are highly effective

pollinators with annual global contribution to crop productivity of over $170 million. Fresh and

healthy crops, a large aspect of every community, help grow and maintain healthy lifestyles,

which are not only important for the healthy and active community plan, but are also important

in the workplace. The healthy eating within a workplace is just as vital as the healthy eating

habits in the community program, and bees contribute immensely to the healthy food employees

eat in a workplace. Furthermore, with the ability to know and monitor the bee population, as

concluded in the articles, employees in workplaces and community program members can

become more aware of the population fluctuation and conserve the bee society.

Practical Implications

BEE the Change is a program that will be implemented on behalf of the bee population

and their impact on the environment. The purpose of this program is to bring awareness to the

falling population within the bee community, as well as bring awareness to The Honeybee

Conservancy program. BEE the Change is a program that supports and markets other bee

conservancy programs through live events, advertising, and engagement. With the bee
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population in danger, it is important that communities understand the history of bees, their work,

their effect on the environment, and what we as a community can do to help. To share the

importance of the decline of bee population and the effects, Kayla plans on implementing

multiple events through the spring and summer seasons. The events will be similar to pop-up

farmer markets, with different ways to engage community members. Events will take place in

Arizona, at schools, local shopping complexes, athletic events, and different workplaces.

Volunteering for the program and events are open to the public, regardless of disabilities.

Furthermore, the events will help support and promote The Honeybee Conservancy Program.

Listed below is the upcoming schedule to be implemented in 2018. Depending on the 2018 event

and bee population results, there is a possibility the events will continue every spring and

Summer moving forward.

Schedule:
First Event Launch: Learn to BEE a Member of Your Community
Saturday March 24, 2018
Locations:
Tempe, Arizona | Warner and McClintock
Tempe, Arizona | Rural and Apache (Arizona State University)
Chandler, Arizona | Desert Breeze Park
Gilbert, Arizona | Downtown Gilbert
Time: 7:00 A.M. 2:00 P.M.
Objective:
To introduce the spring season, and inform community members of the declining
bee population, and what we can do to stop it. The launching of this event will be
helpful to gain more insight of the community, build a fan base/community
member base, and introduce The Honeybee Conservancy.
Second Event: Planting a Home
Saturday, March 31, 2018
Locations: Locations: (Park To BEE Determined)
Tempe, Arizona | Warner and McClintock
Tempe, Arizona | Rural and Apache (Arizona State University)
Chandler, Arizona | Desert Breeze Park
Gilbert, Arizona | Downtown Gilbert
Time: 6:00 A.M. 11 A.M.
Objective:
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Planting a Home is a one day event in the morning where volunteers can help
plant crops in a designated area approves by the cities. This garden is beneficial to
the bee population, BEE the Change, and the communities as well. The crops help
bees pollination activity increase, provide crops for the communities, and keep
volunteers active and involved.
Third Event: BEEing a Caring Community
Friday, April 6, 2018
Locations: (Park To BEE Determined)
Tempe, Arizona | Warner and McClintock
Tempe, Arizona | Rural and Apache (Arizona State University)
Chandler, Arizona | Desert Breeze Park
Gilbert, Arizona | Downtown Gilbert
Time: 6:00 P.M. 9:00 P.M.
Objective:
The objective for this event is to remind community members of the decline in the
bee population, and to act. The Honeybee Conservancy will have a booth, open to
anyone who would like to learn more about Honeybees and/or sign up to have an
apiary for the bees. Furthermore, The Bee Movie will be playing on a large
projector screen, to get children involved in this movement. There will also be
other vendors selling products or services in relation to bees.
Reoccurring Event: Farmers Market: BEE Healthy, BEE Green, and BEE
Happy!
Every Saturday from April 7- May 19, 2018
Locations:
Tempe, Arizona | Warner and McClintock
Tempe, Arizona | Rural and Apache (Arizona State University)
Chandler, Arizona | Desert Breeze Park
Gilbert, Arizona | Downtown Gilbert
Time: 7:00 A.M. 1:00 P.M.
Objective:
Becoming a part of the local Farmer Markets in Arizona will bring awareness to
all communities regarding bees impact on the environment. With Farmer
Markets reaching out to healthy communities, this will be the perfect opportunity
to set up booths and spread awareness, and introduce The Honeybee
Conservancy.

Educational Components:

Each event hosted by BEE the Change hopes to educate all communities in Arizona of

the bee population changes and their effects on the environment. Not only will the events bring

awareness to the subject, but people can learn that there is a way to improve the bee population

and the environment. The Second Event, Planting a Home, educates all volunteers about the
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effects of coming together as a community and how teamwork impacts the environment and

others. Planting a Home teaches volunteers, whether they are employees, students, family, or

friends, how to care for the environment by planting resourceful, agricultural crops and watching

the results from the gardens.

Marketing:

To spread awareness of the upcoming events, information will be released via social

media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook), Instagram example shown in Appendix A.

Furthermore, the events will be advertised in the local newsletters within each community,

demonstrated in Appendix B. BEE the Change will partner with 104,7 Kiss FM, a local radio

station, as well as 92.3 KUPD, to market the events. At each event, a morning news station will

be broadcasting the information on television to inform viewers of the new and upcoming

programs available to save the bee population. Incentives will be given for coming to the events

such as all profit going toward raising funds for The Honeybee Conservancy to find homes for

bees. Another incentive to becoming an engaging member of the community is each member

receives a BEE the Change Package, as shown in Appendix C. The Monthly Package provides

flower seeds for each member to plant. These flower seeds help increase the bees population

through increased pollination activity. The monthly packages will be funded through

sponsorships such as Home Depot or local garden shops within each community. With the shops

providing the seeds to help grow the bee population throughout Arizona, the company will

receive an incentive such as free advertisements/promotions at events. Below are examples of the

social media tactics that will be used for the program and event launch.
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Recognition:

As mentioned in the marketing plan, BEE the Change plans on partnering with

multiple radio stations and news shows to obtain the recognition this program and partnering

programs need. For example, BEE the Change can partner with the John Jay and Rich Radio

show and their Love Pup Foundation, to bring together a caring community and influence

healthy habits. Partnering with the Love Pup Foundation will attract people from all areas of

Arizona, and will be a great opportunity to introduce important topics of the bee population.

Another possibility for BEE the Change is connecting with other pollinators across Arizona, to

unite as a community and support not only the bee population, but other species who are rapidly

declining in numbers.

Committee:

BEE the Change will have a strong, dedicated, encouraging, and positive committee to

help make a change in the community. There will be opportunities for interviews to be a part of

the wellness committee, however, anyone is welcome, as BEE the Change is strictly

volunteering and unpaid. The website for BEE the Change will have a link to Sign Up as a

Volunteer. This gives anyone the chance to be a member of an important movement involving

our environment and communities, regardless of disabilities. A schedule will also be posted on

our website, and is open to any members to volunteer for the events. For volunteers who

complete three training sessions successfully, he or she will be able to travel around Arizona to

different schools and workplaces, to inform students, teachers, and employees the importance of

bees, and how the decline of bee population is effecting our environment. Volunteers will travel

with The Honeybee Conservancy volunteers, in hopes schools and workplaces will want to help

the bee population grow by adding an apiary to their property. For the volunteers, this is a great
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opportunity because they are representing programs for a great cause, and bringing awareness to

communities about the environment.

Engagement:

BEE the Change hopes to engage as many community members as possible to help

stabilize, maintain, and grow the bee population. Once workplaces, schools, and communities are

shown the effects of the declining bee population, the desire to help will hopefully increase. With

no initial costs to attend events, or become BEE the Change members, this should enhance the

engagement from every community. Instead of one program taking control of making a change,

BEE the Change wants everyone to have control and feel like he or she have made a positive

impact on the environment.

With the scheduling, educational, marketing, recognition, committee, and engagement

components, Kayla believes the launching of the BEE the Change program and its events will

be successful. BEE the Change is a program with hopes of influencing and impacting

communities across Arizona. BEE the Change strives to inform communities, employees,

families, teachers, and students about their wellness within the environment.

Visual Marketing Materials

APPENDIX A:

Instagram Media Post:

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APPENDIX B:

Newsletter/Flyer:
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APPENDIX C:

Monthly Packages (Promotional Material):

+ +

Conclusion

In conclusion, with little awareness of the declining bee population, it is important

communities and workplaces understand the effects on the environment. With this

understanding, the next step is acting toward the falling bee population, and putting a stop to the

hurtful pesticides, unexperienced beekeepers, unhealthy pollen. To inform others of the

experiment results from the literature review, BEE the Change must evolve as a caring

program open to anyone. BEE the Change expects a very positive outcome on the community

and workplaces across Arizona. With high involvement in the community and workplace, BEE

the Change and The Honeybee Conservancy believe community members, employees, families,

and friends will understand the environmental effects of the declining bee population. By the end

of the first year of events, BEE the Change hopes to have impacted not only the lives of our

communities, but the lives of the bees as well. After the first year, BEE the Change hopes to

build and expand a supportive volunteer and member base, have a healthy and growing garden in

each city, and have brand awareness and recognition established. If the first year of events are
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successful, we plan to implement the program moving forward. With plans to continue the

program and spreading awareness, BEE the Change has goals for the years to come. In three

years, BEE the Change strives to be a well-known program throughout Arizona, with the same

events implemented in the first year. However, in three years, the program will host more events

in a wider variety of communities. Furthermore, in three years, I believe workplaces and

communities will appreciate nature, crops, and other essentials provided for us by the bees. In

five years, the mission and goals of the program will be understood, and other programs will

have opportunities to partner with BEE the Change for recognition and events.
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References

Bowers, M. A. (1985, June 01). Bumble Bee Colonization, Extinction, and Reproduction in

Subalpine Meadows in Northeastern Utah. Retrieved November 01, 2017, from

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2307/1940554/full

Classical conditioned response in the honey bee. (2003, September 30). Retrieved November 01,

2017, from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0022191061900609

Ecological and life-history traits predict bee species responses to environmental disturbances.

(2010, April 24). Retrieved November 01, 2017, from

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320710001138

Lennartsson, T. (2002, November 01). EXTINCTION THRESHOLDS AND DISRUPTED

PLANTPOLLINATOR INTERACTIONS IN FRAGMENTED PLANT

POPULATIONS. Retrieved November 01, 2017, from

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1890/0012-

9658(2002)083[3060:ETADPP]2.0.CO;2/full

Why Bees? -. (n.d.). Retrieved November 21, 2017, from

http://thehoneybeeconservancy.org/why-bees/