The very survival of bees is being threatened in many places; the U.S. alone has seen an alarming decrease in the number of wild honeybees nationwide, with dramatic losses of honeybee colonies reported by beekeepers (or, as they're technically known, apiarists). This phenomenon has been given the general term Colony Collapse Disorder, yet scientists continue to speculate about its causes. Fortunately, there's good news out there, too. Sustainable beekeeping is on the rise, with healthy hives to prove it. And there are simple things you can do to help these crucial pollinators thrive -- no mesh gear required.

Big buzz, big bucks
Farmers across the country rely on honeybees to pollinate a wide variety of crops that make up a great deal of our food supply. Think almonds, apples, blackberries, oranges, squash, cherries, cranberries, pumpkins, cucumbers, apricots, raspberries, cantaloupes, avocados, strawberries, pears and alfalfa, to name a few. The wide-scale disappearance of entire populations of bees is a serious threat to our ability to keep these nutritious crops in good supply.

Studies have shown that nearly 30 percent of the food supply in America is dependent upon bee pollination. As professor May R. Berenbaum, head of the Department of Entomology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, told a Congressional subcommittee in 2007: "The contributions of one species alone -- the honey bee -- facilitate production of over 90 crops in the U.S. and amount to more than $15 billion per year." In one dramatic example of the impact pollinators have on our economy, Berenbaum cites California's fig industry, which "became established there in the late 19th century only after fig wasps, essential pollinators, were imported for pollination."

Sustainable beekeeping
Though the jury is still out on the cause(s) of colony collapse, the widespread use of synthetic chemicals and pesticides is believed to be a major contributor to the problem. In response, many apiaries have adopted new agricultural practices to protect and strengthen their bees, making great strides in sustainable -- future-minded, natural, ecologically responsible -- beekeeping as a result.

Many independent beekeepers, like Sweet As Can Bee Honey Farm's Isaac Frerichs, keep their hives on organic farms, creating a win-win situation for everyone involved. Other sustainable beekeeping practices include avoiding the use of toxins in pest management and raising strong survivor queens to begin new, healthy colonies. Sustainable beekeepers tend to prefer locally raised queens because they're better adapted to regional climates and can stay healthy without the "help" of ultimately harmful chemicals.

Growing a bee-friendly garden
You can support bee health by purchasing bee-related products from companies that practice sustainable beekeeping, or by buying honey, beeswax candles and other bee goods directly from your local organic apiary.

If you have a garden, avoid using toxic pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers; these chemicals put stress on bees and other beneficial insects. To attract more bees into your garden, try growing plants they love, like azaleas, apple blossoms, black-eyed Susans, carnations, daffodils, daisies, heather, jasmine, tulips and hyacinth. If you're growing vegetables and herbs, keep in mind that bees are attracted to their flowers. So be sure not to rip out your bolted kitchen garden plants -- instead, just leave them for the bees!