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City <br />Elk <br />River <br />To: <br />From: <br />Date: <br />Subject: <br />Memorandum <br />Planning Department <br />Amanda Bednar, Environmental Coordinator <br />February 15, 2418 <br />Keeping of bees and the benefits of pollinators <br />The City of Elk River continues to be a leader in sustainability practices including native <br />plantings, greenspace and natural resources management. Many residents continue to do <br />their part to make sustainable choices including the food they purchase and consume. In <br />addition to the keeping of chickens, many residents have also expressed interest in bees. <br />Bees provide local food via honey production and also play a very valuable role in the <br />pollination process. <br />Bees are a key part of the agriculture production and pollination of fruits, vegetables, nuts <br />and flowers. Natural habitat disruption, pesticide use and numerous bee diseases have <br />significantly impacted honey bee populations. This honey bee crisis is referred to as Colony <br />Collapse Disorder. Providing bee flowers and nesting habitat is incredibly beneficial to bee <br />populations. Bee keeping has become quite popular and is included in the GreenStep Cities <br />Best Practices for city sustainability. <br />Beekeeping is not an easy task and can be quite costly. However the benefits that honey bees <br />can provide to individual residents and our pollinator community at large is significant. <br />There is significant benefit to our local community in increasing the bee population. <br />PowEato s <br />NADepartments\Cnmmunity Development\ Planning\ Camse Files\oA\oA 18-99 Beekeeping\G-Exhihits\Beekeepinlg [NATURE.] <br />meo.docx <br />