Help Us Help Save the Bees
Did you know that bee-pollinated crops contribute to approximately one-third of the total human food supply? And bee populations have been experiencing significant decline due to pesticide use, habitat destruction, parasites and climate change. It is the mission of Help Save the Bees Foundation (HSBF) DBA Biggest Little Bee City to inspire and educate others about the fascinating nature of bees and pollinators, their vital importance to our planet and the human race, the challenges they face, and how we can help protect them.
As 2024 comes to an end and bumblebee queens are preparing to leave the nest and burrow in for their long winter hibernation, we are reflecting on our accomplishments this year and preparing for 2025.
Some of our accomplishments in 2024 include:
Valley Wood Park:
We entered into our first ever agreement with the City of Reno to promote and maintain the Valley Wood Wildlife Gardens located in NW Reno.
We partnered with Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful (KTMB) to recruit 85 volunteers and planted over 300 new plantings in the park at three work parties.
We performed three free public tours attracting over 50 community members.
We partnered with UNR Extension to host the first ever Pollinator Garden Tour of six public pollinator gardens in the Reno area, attracting about 200 visitors.
Educational Outreach:
Tahoe Expedition Academy @ Rancho San Rafael Park (25 students)
Great Basin Institute @ Galena Creek (Approx. 20 students)
Great Basin Outdoor School @ River School Farm (25 students)
Urban Roots @ Outdoor Farm (Approx. 50 students)
Donations to Bee Organizations:
We made donations to local, regional, national and international organizations doing important work to combat the decline of bee populations, both near and far, including:
$1000 donation to Bees4Vets (Local)
$1000 sponsorship to support NV State Beekeepers Conference (State)
$500 donation to Scientific Beekeeping (National)
$112 donation to Bees for Development (International)
Public Bee Booth Events:
We participated in a number of tabling events to educate the community about the importance of bees including Earth Day at Intuit and Truckee Meadows Community College, Bowers Mansion Bluegrass Festival, Milk & Honey Festival and KTMB Great Community Cleanup.
HSBF is completely run by a volunteer board of directors and a small group of dedicated worker bee volunteers making it all happen. We currently have no professional staff. All of the above achievements are due to your generosity!
We are proud of all our hive of committed volunteers has achieved this year and have exciting plans for 2025 which include:
We will add a summer camp presentation at Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation’s (TMPF) new outdoor classroom, and at least one additional summer camp, as capacity allows.
Recruit at least two more volunteers to train and assist with our classroom outreach program, as well as five more volunteers to assist with our Bee Booth.
We will help plan the family activities at the Kids & Bees Expo at the Reno Peppermill on Jan 11, 2025, as well as help organize the Bee & Garden Conference to be held in Minden, NV, March 20–22,2025.
We will table at area events such as the Honey & Lavender Festival, in addition to TMPF events Plantapalooza, Plantamonium and Carpe Diem.
We will host at least one additional indoor classroom presentation, as capacity allows.
But none of this will be possible without the help of supporters like you. Can we count on your support?
Please consider making a donation so we can continue this important work to protect this keystone species while educating students and our community at large about the critical role bees play in our food supply.
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