Crane Point Hammock in Marathon, Florida is home to many plants and animals that work together to maintain a beautiful home. They have a trail full of various tress and flowers that bring a sense of peace. There is a butterfly garden, aviary sanctuary, and even a small museum. Out of all the sections in this historical site, my favorite area, by far, are the bee hives. There are plenty of people that do not realize how important bees throughout the world actually are to human survival.
Bees are one of the most important, if not most important, pollinators. Without these pollinators, so many of the foods that we love and need would not be around. If the bees were to go extinct, humans would shortly follow. Since humans have played such a huge role in their decline, it is only fair that they also play a huge role in increasing their populations, right?
While it is only one small area, Crane Point Hammock has created hives for an abundance of bees. These bees are so unique to the Keys because they collect nectar from Black Mangrove trees, which is used to make delicious Black Mangrove Honey. I have tasted a lot of honey throughout the years, and this honey is one of the most unique and delicious flavors I have ever had. If you would like to learn more about the Black Mangrove Honey and why we need places like Crane Point Hammock to produce it, click here.
These bees need a safe home where they can do the proper work that makes them so successful. Crane Point Hammock provides them plenty of trees, food sources, and sunlight that aids in their success. Not only are the natural resources important, but the beekeepers that help manage this environment and continue to keep the bees safe are also important.
By visiting the website linked above, you can donate any amount of money or become a member, in order to keep Crane Point Hammock growing. Although it is only a small non- profit organization, it is extremely important to the wildlife and nature of the Keys. Their efforts are continuing, and you could easily become a member of this journey.
Hi Alyssa! Although this portion of the entire trip was minor, I am so glad that you highlighted it. Bees in general get a bad reputation due to the nasty wasps and hornets that look similar. Bees are so important to nature and really help keep things functioning in the ecosystem. At my work, we have a garden that only consists of native plants to the area. This way, it attracts the bees and the surrounding plants are able to be pollinated. It also helps protect the bee population which is unfortunately declining.
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