Earth Day Begins With
You

As the sun warms the soil and the first green shoots push through the earth, spring reminds us that life is always ready to begin again. After a long winter, we feel it too: the pull to step outside, breathe deeply, and reconnect with nature’s rhythm.

And at the heart of this seasonal awakening is a small but mighty force: the honey bee.

Why Honeybees Matter

Honeybees are far more than producers of golden sweetness. They are essential pollinators, responsible for fertilizing nearly one third of the food we eat. Apples, blueberries, cucumbers, almonds, pumpkins, and countless other fruits and vegetables depend on bees transferring pollen from flower to flower.

And yet, many of us fear them.

Last summer, our camp counselors at HealthBarn USA shared that several children were hesitant to enter the garden because there were “too many bees.” Some adults felt the same way. I saw it as the perfect teachable moment.

We invited Ridgewood Village Council Member Frank Mortimer, who is also a Cornell University Master Beekeeper, author of “Bee People and the Bugs They Love,” and owner of Frank’s Honey, to assess the garden for safety.

Once he confirmed everything was perfectly safe, he shared something powerful with the campers: At that moment, they were the only pollinators in the park. Unless we disturbed the bees, they had no interest in us. It became one of the most meaningful lessons of the summer. Fear turned into fascination. Children who once stood at the garden’s edge began peacefully sharing space with these essential workers of nature.

As Frank explains, “Two out of every three bites of food we eat are thanks to the honeybee. Most fruits and vegetables rely on honeybees for pollination, and without them, our diet would be far more limited and far more bland. Throughout Bergen County, they pollinate our trees, shrubs, plants, and flowers. helping preserve the natural beauty of our Village.”

The sweetest byproduct of all that work is honey. Bees visit roughly two million flowers to produce just one pound. To do so, they travel up to three miles from their hive, totaling approximately 56,000 combined flight miles for every pound of honey made.

The Gifts Bees Offer us

Beyond agriculture, honeybees provide remarkable benefits:

1. Nutrient-rich honey, containing natural antioxidants and antimicrobial properties

2. Beeswax, used in clean beauty products and natural candles

3. Propolis, long valued for its immune-supporting compounds

4. Royal Jelly, rich in unique fatty acids and bioactive compounds.

5. A living model of cooperation and community

A hive thrives through teamwork, communication, and shared purpose. Each bee plays a role in sustaining the whole. There is something deeply inspiring about that—especially at a time when connection and collaboration matter more than ever.

A Community That Leads

It is no coincidence that Ridgewood became New Jersey’s first designated Bee City in 2017 through the national Bee City USA initiative. This distinction reflects a local commitment to pollinator education, habitat preservation, and pesticide awareness.

Our Village is also home to 11 active beekeepers who care for hives, mentor newcomers, and quietly ensure pollination continues right here in our own backyards. Their dedication supports our gardens, parks, and local food systems in ways many of us may never see but benefit from daily.

When we plant with pollinators in mind, we strengthen not just our environment, but our community.

Keep Bees Buzzing

Earth Day offers a perfect opportunity for simple, meaningful action:

1. Plant native flowers. Choose varieties that bloom from early spring through late fall to provide continuous nourishment.

2. Avoid chemical pesticides. Many common lawn treatments harm pollinators.

3. Let some “weeds” grow. Early blooms like dandelions and clover are vital food sources for emerging bees.

4. Provide water. A shallow dish with stones gives bees a safe place to land and drink.

5. Support local honey. Purchasing from area beekeepers sustains their work and strengthens local pollination efforts.

6. Educate children. When young people understand that food begins with flowers and bees, they develop lifelong respect for the natural world.

Awakening Within

As we celebrate Earth Day this April, remember that environmental stewardship doesn’t require grand gestures. It begins with noticing—planting a single pot of flowers and choosing kindness toward even the smallest creatures that sustain us.

The bees are already awake, moving from blossom to blossom with purpose and grace. Perhaps this is our invitation to do the same.

Celebrate Earth Day in Ridgewood

One of Ridgewood’s most anticipated community events, the Daffodil Festival & Earth Day Fair, will take place on Sunday, April 26, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Memorial Park at Van Neste Square.

This hands-on event features eco-friendly vendors, interactive exhibits, and sustainability workshops for the entire family. Stop by the HealthBarn USA table to create seed balls that help pollinators thrive in open spaces and forest edges.

You don’t need a green thumb to live a green lifestyle, just a commitment to small, mindful actions that benefit our planet. Join the movement. Do your part for Mother Nature.

For more information, visit healthbarnusa.com.

Photographs courtesy of Frank Mortimer and HealthBarn USA

Stacey Antine, MS, RDN, is the founder of Ridgewood’s HealthBarn USA and author of “Appetite for Life.” She is a national expert in family nutrition and has appeared on the Rachael Ray Show, CNN, PBS-TV, and hundreds of broadcast, print, and social channels.