Pollinators like honeybees are directly responsible for about one out of every three mouthfuls of food human beings eat. That makes it positively terrifying that more than 700 species of bees in North America are looking at extinction. One artist has pledged to paint 50,000 bees on murals that will be featured all over the world to draw attention to this crisis and remind us all how much humans need nature to thrive.
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The newest mural has been created at Jordan Vineyard and Winery in California. Painted by Matt Willey, the gorgeous artwork was finished in three days. It was created in soft pastel chalk on concrete. Bees, honey and honeycombs are included in the design in a study of rich golden hues.
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The project is called Good of the Hive and, so far, Matt Willey has been working on it for eight years. He has already painted 35 murals. You can find them in places, including the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., the Dag Hammarskjold Plaza in New York City and Burt’s Bees global headquarters in Durham, NC.
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With the newest addition at Jordan Winery, Willey has now painted over 10,000 bees of his 50,000 bee goal. This is the average number of bees you will find in a healthy hive. Painting this many bees is Willey’s way of promoting a healthy world.
On the other hand, Jordan Winery has made a strong commitment to the planet. This is a certified sustainable vineyard and winery. Much of the property is left untouched so that natural plants and animals may thrive. Bees are kept here year-round and several pollinator sanctuaries have been created across the property. Wastewater reclamation systems reuse water for the vineyard and landscaping. Around 75% of electricity comes from the solar arrays on the property. Jordan Winery’s electrical use has been carbon neutral since 2014.
And now, the winery is a part of the Good of the Hive project, a beautiful but bittersweet reminder that the people of Earth are also a hive and a lot of healing needs to be done so that our hive can be healthy again.
Images via Jordan Winery
