Originally published in TEACH Magazine, May/June 2024 Issue
By Fiona Tapp
The humble bee is a symbol of busy productivity. It is also one of the most important pollinators.
What makes bees so special? They transfer pollen from male to female flower parts in order to fertilize plants, a process that is essential for the reproduction of many flowering plants, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Bees and other pollinators are responsible for 35 percent of global crop production. Without them the resulting imbalance in our agricultural system would severely threaten food supplies.
Fiona Tapp is a former teacher and school administrator of 13 years based in Ontario. She writes about education, parenting, and travel for a variety of publications including National Geographic, The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, The Sunday Times, and many more.
