“No one will protect what they don’t care about; and no one will care about what they have never experienced.” -Sir David Attenborough
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, recent studies have shown that three-fourths of the world's flowering plants and about 35 percent of the world’s food crops are dependent on pollinators to reproduce. It is estimated that one out of every three bites of food that we eat exists because of animal pollinators like bees, butterflies and moths. Their decline threatens not only the biodiversity of the ecosystems but the stability of our food production and human agricultural livelihoods.
Unfortunately, pollinators are facing many challenges today including habitat loss and disease. In addition, there is a shortage of pollinator-friendly plantings to support them. It is estimated that one-fifth of native north American pollinators are at an elevated risk of extinction.
At the Environmental Studies Center (ESC), we are committed to educating our citizens and students about the importance of our pollinators and the perils they face. This is accomplished through our pollinator programming that centers around our honeybee hives.
Recently, we were honored to partner with the Mobile County Beekeepers Association (MCBA) to host the inaugural “Buzzin’ About Nature” event on May 16, 2026.
This partnership was a natural fit, as Environmental Studies Center Resource Teacher Troy Latham also serves as president of the Mobile County Beekeepers Association. The ESC and MCBA have a long-standing relationship, regularly working together to provide meeting space, educational classes, and community outreach opportunities.
The first-ever “Buzzin' About Nature” festival was organized by the Mobile County Beekeepers Association with the goal of showcasing the educational programs and conservation efforts of the ESC while offering visitors a full day of engaging presentations on a wide range of beekeeping topics. From beginner beekeeping to honey production and pollinator conservation, attendees had the opportunity to learn from experienced beekeepers and educators. The classes were well attended.
While honeybees and honey were the focus of the festival, the event also featured a diverse selection of vendors offering local honey, handcrafted goods, plants, food and other unique nature-based products. Families enjoyed exploring the grounds, meeting representatives of local environmental organizations and learning about the important role pollinators play in our environment. The kids had a great time playing and enjoying the exhibits offered by the ESC.
There is a growing biodiversity crisis affecting ecosystems that host our native pollinators. Changing environments, habitat loss and urban development are all threats that underscore an urgent need for conservation. As quoted by Lars Chittka in his book "The Mind of a Bee," “We owe the bees. Act accordingly!”
Here at the ESC, we are committed to furthering our programming to assist our citizenry in understanding the issues facing the pollinators and the resulting human impacts. Gratefully, as a reward for our efforts, we harvest some pretty tasty honey that you too can enjoy by visiting our gift shop.
Meet the author
Tracy Jay, Ed.D.
Mobile County Schools Environmental Studies Center Director
Tracy Jay is a member of the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium's Engagement and Education Team. She is the director of the Mobile County Public School System's Environmental Studies... Read more
Phone: 251-221-5000
Email: tjay@mcpss.com