Celebrate Our Planet’s Pollinators for Earth Day

In honor of Earth Day, we welcome you to celebrate the pollinators of the planet—most importantly bees, and also some birds who play a role in fertilizing plants by transferring pollen from one flower to another. Here we have gathered list of educational and environmental resources to learn more about the important work done by bees and birds. And don’t forget to check out our two events: Backyard Birds with Anne Swaim of the Saw Mill Audubon Society on Thursday, April 22, 4 to 5 pm  (for adults, register by clicking here) and Bees, Bees, Bees! for kids on Saturday April 24 from 2 to 3 pm for ages 6 and up (register here.)

Birds

General

National Audubon Society | https://www.audubon.org/ The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation

State of the World’s Birds | https://www.birdlife.org/sowb2018 Using birds to assess the condition of our ecosystems as a whole, State of the World’s Birds is BirdLife International’s flagship science publication. This latest analysis of the scientific literature pinpoints the major trends and changes in bird populations, exploring the causes and identifying conservation solutions.

Urban Bird Foundation | https://urbanbird.org/ Urban Bird’s mission is to engage, educate and nurture a broad-based constituency to ensure the conservation of bird populations, and preserve the interconnected relationship between people and nature. In particular, checkout their work on the impact of plastic and trash in the environment. 

Avian Welfare Coalition | http://www.avianwelfare.org/index.html The Mission of the Avian Welfare Coalition (AWC) is to raise awareness about the plight of parrots and other captive birds and to serve as an educational resource for the humane community, law-makers, and the general public.

Local 

Bronx Zoo World of Birds | https://bronxzoo.com/things-to-do/exhibits/world-of-birds This popular exhibit at the Bronx Zoo features the Bali Mynah, Great Blue Turaco and the White Throated Bee-Eater. 

Marshlands Conservance, Rye, NY | https://longislandsoundstudy.net/2012/10/edith-g-read/ Marshlands Conservancy encompasses the largest tidal marsh system in Westchester County. Its five distinct habitat types (meadow, forest, salt marsh, shore, and ponds) are a haven for hundreds of species of birds, which is why it is designated an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society. 

Saw Mill River Audubon | http://www.sawmillriveraudubon.org/  This local chapter of the Audubon Society offers field trips, workshops and programs. Its director, Anne Swaim, will be hosting the Pelham Library’s program on Thursday, April 22, 4 to 5 pm (register by clicking here).

New York State Ornithological Society | https://nybirds.org/ For the birders and birds of the Empire State.

NYC Audubon | https://www.nycaudubon.org/  New York City Audubon works to protect wild birds in the five boroughs and hosts birding events. 

Thomas Pell Wildlife Sanctuary  | https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/pelham-bay-park/highlights/6350 The Thomas Pell Wildlife Sanctuary and the Hunter Island Marine Zoology and Geology Sanctuary in the northeast Bronx consist of a total of 489 acres of marshes and forests within Pelham Bay Park. The area is home to a variety of wildlife including raccoon, egrets, hawks, and the occasional ibis or coyote.

Photography

New York Bird Webcams | https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7050.html  The Department of Environmental Conservation’s active webcam features nesting Peregrine Falcons, an endangered species in New York. The webcam generally operates from early spring to early summer until the young birds fledge from the nest.

Tips for Photographing Birds | https://www.audubon.org/news/10-tips-photographing-birds A professional photographer, and past Audubon Magazine Photo Awards winner, offers advice for capturing stunning bird shots.

 

Bees

General

Bee Facts for Kids | https://www.pestworldforkids.org/pest-guide/bees/  Educational facts and activities about bees.

Bee Pollination  | https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/animals/bees.shtml An overview on bee pollination from the U.S. Forest service and U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The Buzz About Bees | https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bees/buzz.html A resource for fascinating facts about bees from PBS Nova.

Helping Agriculture’s Helpful Honeybees | https://earthjustice.org/features/bees-beekeepers-neonics-perfect-crime Resources and information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Join the Pollen Nation | https://ucanr.edu/sites/PollenNation/Meet_The_Pollinators/ A great site for children from the University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Save the Bees | https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/sustainable-agriculture/save-the-bees/  Information from Greenpeace which advocates on behalf of bees in crisis.

What’s Killing all the Bees? | https://earthjustice.org/features/bees-beekeepers-neonics-perfect-crime Updates from Earth Justice on the ongoing honey bee colony collapse disorder.

World Bee Day  | https://www.un.org/en/observances/bee-day To raise awareness of the importance of pollinators, the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development, the UN designated May 20 as World Bee Day.

 

Local

New York Bee Sanctuary | http://www.newyorkbeesanctuary.org/ This organization protects the bees of New York State and across the U.S. through conservation, advocacy and research.

New York City Beekeeper Association | http://www.bees.nyc/ A hive for the urban beekeepers, bee enthusiasts and honey lovers of New York City.