World Bee Day

World Bee Day History

World Bee Day is an observance dedicated to raising awareness about the role of bees and to celebrate their contribution to the global food chain. This day highlights the significance of protecting bees for the benefit of future generations, while bringing attention to the increasing threats faced by bees due to habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change.

Initially proposed by Slovenia, this celebration was officially declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2017. The date chosen, May 20, pays tribute to the birthdate of Anton Janša, a pioneering 18th-century Slovenian apiculturist who is considered the father of modern beekeeping. This event reflects the collaborative efforts of governments, NGOs, and individuals to promote sustainable practices in agriculture, horticulture, and related fields.

People in the United Kingdom and around the world participate in World Bee Day by attending conferences, community events, and educational programmes. Activities may include workshops on beekeeping, the planting of bee-friendly gardens, and advocacy initiatives to increase sustainable farming practices. World Bee Day is celebrated on May 20th each year to appreciate the indispensable role played by bees in our daily lives.

Top 10 Facts for 2026 World Bee Day in the UK

• The official global theme for the 2026 observance is Bee Together for People and the Planet – A Partnership That Sustains Us All, which highlights the long-standing cultural and environmental bond between humans and pollinators.
• Following an exceptionally wet and mild winter, beekeepers across the United Kingdom are reporting unprecedented colony losses of up to 30 percent in some southern regions, a crisis attributed to the impacts of a changing climate on hibernation cycles.
• The European Orchard Bee, scientifically known as Osmia cornuta, has recently been identified as a rapidly spreading newcomer in southern England, where it is being welcomed as a highly efficient pollinator for apple and cherry orchards.
• Pollination services provided by bees contribute an estimated £1.8 billion annually to the United Kingdom’s economy, supporting the production of essential crops such as strawberries, apples, and oilseed rape.
• Researchers from the University of Oxford and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, have recently developed a breakthrough yeast-based “superfood” designed to provide honeybees with essential nutrients that are increasingly scarce in the wild due to habitat loss.
• Public participation in the No Mow May initiative, led by the charity Plantlife, remains one of the most popular ways for British gardeners to support the 270 different species of bees found across the country by providing vital early-season nectar.
• The ongoing threat from the invasive Yellow-legged Asian Hornet has led to an urgent call for "hornet hunters" across the UK to monitor and report sightings using the Asian Hornet Watch mobile application.
• Scientific interest has surged following the release of the National Geographic series Secrets of the Bees, which uses advanced technology to reveal the complex problem-solving abilities and hidden social lives of different bee species.
• While most people are familiar with honeybees, over 90 percent of bee species in the United Kingdom are actually solitary, such as the Tawny Mining Bee, which nests individually in garden lawns rather than in large social hives.
• Many residents are turning to literature such as The Bee Bible by Sally Coulthard to find practical ways to transform small urban spaces into pollinator havens.

In the News and Trending in the UK for World Bee Day

Top things to do in the UK for World Bee Day

• Do what you can to help bees! Plant native plants and flowers, avoid using pesticides or herbicides, and purchase honey from local farmers.
• Explore a collection of poems about bees and their importance.
• Watch a movie about the role of bees in the United Kingdom. Here are our top picks:
  1. The Wonderful World of Bees (2013) - This BBC documentary investigates the significance and complexities of the pollinating services that bees provide to the United Kingdom and the world.
  2. Inside the Hive: The Buzz About Bees (2009) - This National Geographic documentary provides insight into the lives and behaviors of bees and their vital role in pollinating plants in the UK and around the world.
  3. The Vanishing of the Bees (2009) - This documentary examines the phenomenon of Colony Collapse Disorder, which has led to a drastic decline in honeybee populations in the UK and other countries.
• Check out a local bee product showcases. Local markets and farms in the UK often host honey tastings and showcase various bee products like beeswax, propolis, and pollen on World Bee Day.