We only have one Earth, and it would be a shame if that Earth were destroyed or left a wasteland because we can’t take care of our own animals.

If you haven’t heard, bees have recently become close to being put on the extinction list. The use of pesticides and lack of information about such pesticides have contributed to the problem.

Bees, while sometimes annoying, do a lot to help the planet. They pollinate the flowers and plants around us, which gives us fresh air and crops.

We can make simple changes to help conserve bees. One small change you can make now is to be calm when you see a bee. Yes, some people are allergic and others are fearful of bees, but that fear comes at a cost. Like other insects, bees are usually more afraid of us than we are of them. Their sting is their defense mechanism. If we don’t bother them, they won’t bother us.

It will be hard at first, but change is not supposed to be easy.

Another small step you can make to help save the bees is to use bee-friendly products. There is an entire line of beauty products designed called “Bee Friendly.”

The company uses essential oils and raw honey among other ingredients in their skin creams.

According to a video on their website, the products are made in small batches by beekeepers in Hawaii. They are free of artificial preservatives and other chemicals that are harmful to the environment.

We have many other options to help save the bees.

If you don’t have space in Emporia go plant a garden at home with bee friendly plants, such as lavender, sage and lily of the valley. Avoid using pesticides in that garden at all costs.

If planting a garden is not realistic, donate your time or money to promote bee conservation. Share news and updates with your friends on social media. Spread awareness of the crisis facing bees and humans alike.

There are many things you can do, even for free, to get the word out about saving bees.

As Emporia State Hornets, we should do our best to save our smaller insect cousins.