Across the country, bee populations are disappearing, threatening America's food supply, as one-third of our agricultural crops is pollinated by bees. That's $15 billion in crops each year. One major threat is Colony Collapse Disorder, which has been reported in more than 35 states. In 2008, the Maryland Honeybee Working Group was formed in response to this crisis.
Coordinated by the University of Maryland's Department of Entomology and co-sponsored by the College of Chemical and Life Sciences and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the group aims to identify and engage Maryland's research, alumni, and extension communities to address the crisis of Colony Collapse Disorder and issues regarding honeybees and pollination. Federal, state and non-governmental organizations in Maryland have been working to assemble a statewide partnership of expertise to better address the plight of our beleaguered honeybees and other pollinators.
The Maryland Honeybee Working Group held its first Public Forum on November 12, 2008 at the University of Maryland, as part of Bioscience Research Day. The program included expert presentations and question-and-answer sessions on Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) and other urgent threats to honeybees and pollination in Maryland. Future plans for apicultural research and outreach in our state were also discussed. Read minutes from the meeting.