“At the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility at UC Davis, bees can sip water from a slanted board propped against a slowly dripping faucet, or from the specially designed watering devices at the nearby Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven, a half-acre bee friendly garden that doubles as an educational resource.” –  Kathy Keatley Garvey.

“Bees need access to safe water sources, they often risk drowning in birdbaths or being eaten at rivers and lakes among birds, fish, frogs and other wildlife. This is why they often fly around our clothes lines and may even land on us if we are in an outdoor pool on a hot day.”

Of course what’s good for the bees is also good for butterflies and other insects. The photo above shows one example of how to make an attractive bee waterer. A rough concrete surface, with its little nooks and crannies can serve as well if kept moist. Be sure to keep the water fresh to avoid harboring mosquito larvae.

Read more from Intelligent Living here.

I’ve been hearing some fears expressed about this project, so let me try to allay them.

This restoration project will repair damage to the trail surface and side slopes of select areas where erosion is most severe, primarily around the south impoundment. The work includes two different edge treatments to maximize long-term stability. The total disturbance from the project will be just under1200 linear feet, or about 15% of the total length of the trail.

Because of limited site access, work will be undertaken in sequence in seven separate areas: disruption will be confined to a few hundred linear feet at a time. Any wildlife displaced by the activity should be able to relocate close by.

The trail is closed because of the risk to people, which is much greater than the risk to wildlife. And while we cannot see the unforeseen, we are confident that the trail will reopen before Labor Day.

The NJMC built this trail some fifteen years ago for the purpose of enhancing habitat for wildlife of all kinds and providing safe public access to this very special place. We have worked, as always, to minimize negative impacts by carefully controlling the scope of work, techniques used and timing of our projects. Our experience is that disturbed areas roar back once our enhancements are complete.

Thank you for your patience. And thanks to Regina Geoghan for the beautiful photos.