• Listen to the entire program

Of the many concerning developments in food and agriculture over recent years, one stands out as being particularly perplexing and disturbing. It is the widespread disappearance of bee colonies throughout the United States that has come to be known as Colony Collapse Disorder. The phenomenon began to make headlines about 5 years ago. Bee keepers reported healthy colonies vanishing seemingly overnight, with no clues left behind as to what drove the bees away. A crisis was born as our domestic bee population dwindled and Australian bees were shipped in to pollinate crops. Some honeybee operations went out of business after losing a third or more of their bees to the mysterious epidemic. The causes of, and remedies for, Colony Collapse Disorder are explored in the new film, Vanishing of the Bees. The filmmakers traveled around the United States in search of answers, talking to bee keepers, scientists, and food and agricultural experts. They went to France, where American bee keepers learned how their French counterparts addressed issues of pesticide regulation to combat Colony Collapse Disorder. The bee’s status as a revered tool of mother nature and a barometer of environmental health is also discussed in this engaging and highly informative documentary, narrated by Oscar nominated actress, Ellen Page. Vanishing of the Bees, was named an official Selection at the International Wildlife Film Festival, the Environmental Film Festival, and the San Francisco Documentary Film Festival.

Thank you gift:

Vanishing of the Bees – DVD – $100

Call 818-985-5735 or visit www.kpfk.org to make a pledge.

A very special thanks to Honey Pacifica (www.honeypacifica.com) and Backyard Bees (www.backyardbees.net) for their donations to KPFK.