The Colony Collapse Disorder Puzzle: An Update on What We Know

Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) has been a thorn in the side of U.S. beekeepers for nearly a decade now. Unfortunately, research has been unable to pin down the exact cause of this devastating illness. While we understand more than we did a decade ago, the picture is still quite incomplete. As Jeff Pettis, research leader of the Bee Research Laboratory in Maryland, has put it, if CCD is a jigsaw puzzle, then we have the blue-sky pieces in place, but “no center picture.” READ MORE...

Trailblazing Landscapers: The National Association of Landscape Professionals

The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) understands that the landscaping business can be a challenge. Not only does landscaping require physical stamina, it requires good business sense, a grasp of marketing, and the ability to relate directly to customers. To help newcomers to the industry, the NALP has started its Trailblazers program, which pairs experts in the industry with new landscapers looking to learn the ropes. Here is what the Trailblazer program is all about. READ MORE... 

Honey Bees in Maryland: The Pollinator Health Bill

Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) has been a serious problem for nearly a decade now (first recognized in October 2006). Unfortunately, no specific cause has been identified. Similar incidents have occurred in the 1880s, 1920, and 1960s, but none of these events has provided a clear understanding as to why honey bee colonies suddenly collapse.

What is clear about CCD disorder is that it threatens agriculture the world over. Beekeepers in the U.S. have reported losses in the range of 30-90% per year, losses that have prompted legislators in several states to consider laws that can help honeybees. Maryland is the latest state to consider a “pollinator health bill” and while these laws cannot prevent CCD, they can help to protect honeybees against known threats and give them a fighting chance. READ MORE...