Project Apis m. is excited to welcome our new Habitat Program Director, Rory Crowley to our team. 
 
Starting in January, 2022, Rory will be managing the Seeds for Bees program in California and working with the Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund to grow and develop PAm’s forage & habitat programs.  We are looking forward to the addition of Rory’s unique experiences which bring new perspective along with well-worn “boots-on-the-ground” to our efforts. 

Project Apis m. is seeking a Habitat Program Manager to join our team! Below are the details of the position, and you can download a copy of the position announcement HERE. Help us get the word out!

Position Announcement:
 Project Apis m. is a 501(c)5 nonprofit organization founded in 2006. Project Apis m.’s mission is to fund and direct research to enhance the health and vitality of honey bee colonies while improving crop production. Project Apis m. (PAm) also builds programs to improve honey bee health such as best management practices and honey bee habitat programs. Project Apis m. 2.0 is a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2017 to expand the reach of Project Apis m. to a new audience. The Bee & Butterfly Habitat Fund is a program of PAm 2.0. Project Apis m. is committed to creating a purposeful and intentional workspace for all employees and constituents. We are committed to inclusivity, learning, community, integrity, and humility. 

Position Summary:
The habitat program manager supports PAm’s mission by managing the Seeds for Bees Program in California, liaising with the Bee & Butterfly Habitat Fund in the Midwest, and interacting with research efforts on honey bee nutrition and habitat. The habitat program manager engages with farmers and almond growers in California’s central valley to recruit Seeds for Bees participants and to provide technical assistance to participants. This position represents Project Apis m. at national and regional meetings, providing an overview of all PAm’s programs, promoting our mission, and recruiting habitat participants. The successful applicant will exhibit enthusiasm toward and dedication to serving the beekeeping industry and crop production. 

This year the entire West and Northern Midwest is experiencing drought, leaving some growers with barely enough water to keep their crops healthy. Beekeepers are also struggling in places like North Dakota, where honey bees are preparing for almond pollination in February and some beekeepers are reporting record low honey crops. When nectar dries up, bees struggle to produce the honey they need to survive Winter.

Access to clean, nutritious forage is essential for all bees, and as bee forage is declining each year in the USA, the number of native bees and managed bees are also declining. 75 years ago there were nearly twice as many honey bee colonies in the US, and more than half the native bee species assessed seem to be in decline.   

Salt Lake City, Utah-August 25th 2021.
Background
Managed honey bees in North America are under increasing pressure to meet pollination demands for our food supply. At the same time, annual colony losses are high- 45.5% in the US in 2020, and the natural forage which gives bees healthy nutrition and a honey crop for producers is decreasing. Colony losses are often attributed to pathogens, parasites, pesticides, hive management (queen mating, genetics, maintenance), climate, and available nutrition. United States honey production in 2020 from producers with five or more colonies totaled 148 million pounds, down 6% from 2019. Sustainable beekeeping is dependent on maximizing outputs (colony health, colony numbers, pollination contracts, honey production, profitability) while minimizing the inputs (time, money, personnel, treatments). A sustainable beekeeping industry contributes to a more sustainable agricultural landscape through a stable supply of bees for crop pollination. Therefore, PAm is requesting research proposals that focus on enhancing the health, survival and productivity of honey bee colonies, which provide practical and tangible solutions to the beekeeping industry.

Farmers and Growers in California are encouraged to apply for free or discounted cover crop and forage seed to help support the nutritional needs of honey bees and native pollinators. 
 
Planting pollinator forage and blooming cover crops is a management practice that can help you meet your sustainability goals and qualify for Bee Friendly Farming certification. Improved bee and soil health, weed control, and beneficial insect habitat are just a few of the benefits of planting Seeds for Bees.  Individualized, one-on-one technical support is provided at no cost for all growers who qualify.
 
Learn more at ProjectApism.org/Seeds-For-Bees, or apply to enroll here.