We also need to protect bees

I enjoyed your article regarding the protection of butterflies, "Take steps to protect swallowtail butterfly population." I appreciate the attention that has been given to the danger that our pollinators are enduring, but I am writing today to shine light on another type of pollinator that is becoming increasingly threatened, the bees.

Bees are dying at unprecedented rates, and this has alarming consequences for both our ecosystem and our food supply. If we did not have bees to pollinate our crops, 71 of the top 100 crops that are essential to our world's food supply would fail to be pollinated. I was at a farmers market last week and there was a beekeeper there who told me that he lost about half of his bee population last year due to the harsh conditions that are being imposed on bees.

One of the leading causes of this decline in the bee population is the use of a type of harmful pesticide commonly referred to as Neonics. Studies have shown that these pesticides are poisoning our bees and making it harder for them to reproduce and navigate their surroundings, while failing to lead to higher crop yields.

We need to take this issue seriously and find ways to make a change. Illinois has already seen legislation on this issue through House Bill 3636, introduced by Rep. Will Guzzardi. This bill addresses Neonics and attempts to ban its use on public lands.

To protect our bees, we need the support of the people, and this legislation is providing an opportunity for us to make sweeping changes for our bees and our food supply.

Piper Conway

Lincolnshire