City Council Study Session Agenda and Packet 2009 05 12

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With increased loss of farmland due to urbanization the number of local colonies declined to around 55,000 in Colorado in 1990 followed by another huge drop to 22,00(1 by 2000. Today there are fewer than 700 colonies in Boulder County - 10% of the number of hives in the early 1900s. Quality of Life: Beekeeping is an activity for all ages, and learning about bees is a lifelong interest for many people. Management of the hives is often taught across generations. Beekeepers have historically been very generous in sharing knowledge with all interested parties. In Larimf;r County, the Northern Colorado Beekeepers' Association is inundated with calls for speakers each spring when every 2nd grade class in the county has section on bees. Beekeeping brings people together, provides mental stimulation for people of all abilities, and improves quality of life for all people who take the time to learn about the bees. Adequate pollination of fruit and vegetable flowers require;s pollination to occur repetitively on the same flower. In adequate pollination can result not only in reduced yields but also in delayed yield and a high percentage of culls or inferior fruits. Large agricultural farms and local gardeners alike must have an adequate source of pollinators in relatively close proximity to their plants. As our desire for locally grown organic produce increases, the backyard and local garden becomes an important resource for food crops. Lack of sufficient numbers of pollinators impacts our ability to maximize yield. Honey bees not only pollinate crops but a wide variety of berry bearing bushes and trees. Plum trees are on every corner; crabapples and berries abound. Wildlife, particularly birds, are dependent on these food sources. Lack of pollination will lead to diminished numbers of wild species populating and enriching our town. Ecology: Some call the honey bee a "keystone" insect species -one on which other species depend -and its loss could be particularly detrimental for ecosystems and people. Current trends see an ever increasing desire for locally, organically grown food -the backyard garden is becoming more and more popular. Without sufficient honey bee populations, increasing numbers of people maybe forced to consume produce produced in and hauled from distant places. The population of Boulder County has grown tremendously since the 60s decreasing the number of manages agricultural hives and destroying natural hive sites for feral bees. Additionally, by 1984, the tracheal mite - a microscopic parasite that interferes with the bees ability to breathe -had entered the US. In the late 80s the blood sucking Varroa mite was introduced and continues to wipe out between 17 and 40% of total honey bee populations annually. It is thought that few, if any, feral bees survive the winters anymore due to Varroa mite infestations. Most recently, local beekeepers are finding 40 - 60°io of their hives dead in the spring, with many blaming these winter losses on what is being called Colom,~ Collapse Disorder, the cause(s) of which is still unclear. These unsustainable losses are causing local and commercial beekeepers to close shop. For all my years here in Louisville I remember the "HONEY" sign that used to be out on South Boulder Road... it's not there today. If there is an upside to these issues, it is that beekeepers are responding with many innovative and successful measures. I ocal beekeeping groups are sponsoring and/or participating in research toward natural (nonchemical) means of treating both types of mites. Beekeepers in Larimer County are breeding populations of bees that are tolerant of our long winters and short growing seasons while still being gentle, productive and 14