Bees Need Us More Than Ever—Will You Help Us Grow in 2026?
Dear ,Did you know that nearly one-third of the food on our tables depends on pollinators — especially bees? Yet these essential creatures continue to face enormous pressure from habitat loss, pesticides, parasites, and a rapidly changing climate.At Help Save the Bees Foundation (HSBF), our mission is simple but urgent: to inspire, educate, and empower our community to protect bees and the ecosystems that depend on them.As 2025 comes to a close — and as native bee queens across Nevada settle underground and under leaves for their long winter rest — we’re reflecting on a year filled with purpose, growth, and community connection. Thanks to supporters, like you, this was one of our strongest years yet.
2025 Highlights — Powered by Your Support
Valley Wood Wildlife Gardens
Planted over 300 new native and pollinator-friendly plants across the gardens.
Installed six brand-new educational trail signs—funded entirely by donors—teaching visitors about turfgrass alternatives and pollinator habitat.
Hosted three major volunteer cleanups and three free public tours.
Supported the Reno Area Pollinator Garden Tour, welcoming visitors from across the region.
Booth & Community Education
Earth Day at TMCC
Jewish Nevada’s Milk & Honey Festival at the McKinley Arts Center
Bowers Mansion Bluegrass Festival
World Bee Day celebration at Patagonia
At each bee education booth event, our volunteers engaged families, students, and community members with hands-on learning—often featuring our observation hive with live bees.
Kids & Bees Outreach
This is one of the most joyful parts of our mission, and 2025 was huge:
ABF Kids & Bees Expo – 350+ kids and adults
Tahoe Expeditionary Academy – 25 kids
River School Farm – 30 kids
Great Basin Institute – 25 kids
Urban Roots – 100 kids
American Honey Queen school visits – 10 schools, 450 kids
Hundreds of children had their first close-up, wonder-filled introduction to the world of bees.
Presentations, Advocacy & Special Events
Hosted American Beekeeping Federation Conference, 1/9—1/11/2025
Sponsored NV State Beekeeping Conference, 2/20—2/22/25
Nevada Legislature AB 85 hearing – 2/26/25
Bee & Garden Conference (Minden, NV) – 3/20–3/22/25, HSBF helped organize and presented multiple sessions
“Bee Movie Night” panel – 4/23/25
World Bee Day Festival – 5/20/25, produced by HSBF at Idlewild Park (and returning May 20, 2026!)
Sage Ridge School – 6/3/25
Great Basin Institute Gala – 10/3/25
Jim Trowbridge Memorial 5K Race – 10/11/25
This work is only possible because of generous community partners and supporters
.
Our Plans for 2026 — and Why We Need Your Support
Looking ahead, HSBF is preparing for an even more impactful year. In 2026, we plan to:
Expand Kids & Bees outreach to more schools and youth programs
Grow our volunteer base to support increased demand for education booths and classroom visits
Add more native plantings and habitat enhancements at Valley Wood Wildlife Gardens
Produce the World Bee Day Festival on May 20, 2026, with expanded family activities and partnerships
Support additional pollinator-friendly garden tours and educational events across northern Nevada
We remain a fully volunteer-run organization—no paid staff, just a dedicated hive of passionate people working to protect a keystone species.But to continue (and grow) this important work, we truly need your help.
Can We Count on Your Support This Year?
Your tax-deductible gift makes a real impact:
$25 provides hands-on educational materials for a child
$50 supports new native plantings
$100 helps expand Kids & Bees outreach
$250 sponsors a trail sign or classroom presentation
$500+ strengthens programs across our entire community
Please consider making a gift today to help us continue educating, inspiring, and building pollinator-friendly spaces throughout the Reno area.
You can give online by clicking the "Donate Now" button below,
Or mail a check to:
Help Save the Bees Foundation
1708 Sierra Highlands Dr.
Reno, NV 89523
Thank you
for bee-ing generous this holiday season—and for helping protect the pollinators that sustain our food, our gardens, and our future.
With gratitude,
Joseph Schmitt, President
Ray Hopper, Treasurer