In Issue 91

BEES COUNT

An online strategy to compile a world checklist of bees resulted in biologists identifying nearly 19,500 bee species worldwide. 2,000 more species than previously estimated. Compiling the list took over five years’ effort by bee taxonomists in six continents. /f can e iewed at www.iis.gov

Last moth the UK House of Lords debated threats to the British bee population*. Subjects discussed included the importance of bees for global food supplies, the impact of a declining bee population on the pollination of crops, and the spread of the Varroa mite.

* www.publications.parliament.uk/pa

BEES, BIODIVERSITY AND FOREST LIVELIHOODS

A three day Conference held in Coonoor, India in March 2009 marked the end of the three year Project examining Bees, Biodiversity and Forest Livelihoods in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The Project was funded by the UK Government's Darwin Initiative, and was implemented by Kotagiri based Keystone Foundation, in collaboration with Bees for Development, the Overseas Development Group/School of Development Studies, University of East Anglia, UK and the Centre for Agri-Environmental Research, University of Reading, UK. The Project has been featured in several previous editions of this Journal. Proceedings of the Conference will be available soon.

SUPPORT

Bees for Development Trust acknowledge: Anglo American Group Foundation, John Lewis Council, Manuka Life Ltd, Panta Rhea Foundation, Rowse Family Trust, Simply Manuka, Synchronicity Foundation, E H Thorne (Beehives) Ltd, VITA (Europe) Ltd, Wales for Africa Fund of the Welsh Assembly Government, The Waterloo Foundation.

Also the many beekeeping groups and individuals who support our work. Please encourage your friends and colleagues to help

Bees for Development

1 Agincourt Street, Monmouth NP25 3DZ, UK Tel: +44 (0)1600 714848 info@beesfordevelopment.org www.beesfordevelopment.org