A recently released poll conducted by Friends of the Earth Canada shows a strong public concern about bee health and a lack of understanding of the importance of wild pollinators.Its publication gave the Canadian Honey Council the opportunity to point out that honey bee colonies are at record levels across the country.The poll showed there is considerable recognition that habitat issues are a major challenge for the bees and other pollinators that are essential for crop production across the country.Not surprisingly given the furor surrounding neonic seed treatments used on corn, soybeans, canola and some horticulture crops in recent years, the poll found 89 per cent of respondents believe pesticides are the most important threat to bees. Next at 79 per cent was the loss of suitable floral resources followed by habitat loss at 68 per cent, disease 67 per cent, climate change 66 per cent and modern intensive agriculture 65 per cent. In other words, a lot of people realize there are many threats to bees.The poll didn't really distinguish between commercial honey bees and wild pollinators. It's the latter species that Friends of the Earth is focused on.The survey found 11% were not concerned about bee survival while 20% had a neutral opinion and 2% were unsure.“We are impressed with the depth of concern for bees from Canadians across all ages and backgrounds and, that people in urban and rural settings share the same levels of concern for bees,” said Beatrice Olivastri, CEO, Friends of the Earth Canada. “But, we do need to help Canadians better understand the importance of wild, native bees,” Almost seven out of ten Canadians don't know that the pollinating role of wild, native bees cannot be replaced by honey bees.Her group is pressing Environment Canada to protect six wild, native species as recommended by scientists working as the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada.“In fact, our poll demonstrates more than enough public concern and support for the federal government to act comprehensively to protect all wild, native pollinators,” she said. “We need to invest in science, policy and practical measures to protect Canada's over 855 species of wild, native bees from pesticides, habitat loss and other big threats.” Other countries like the United States and theUnited Kingdom have national pollinator policies designed to protect bees. Canada does not.Kevin Nixon, President of the Canadian Honey Council, said the number of honey bee colonies in Canada has risen to more than 772,000, an increase of 37.7% during the last five years. “That's about 10 percent more than in 2016, which was another record year. In fact, the number of hives have been climbing since the late 1990s.” Western Canada produces about 80 percent of Canada's honey.He said that in Ontario, honeybee losses due to pesticides at or around corn and soybean planting times are down because farmers have adopted more pollinator-friendly production practices. After a disastrous 2014, overwintering loss rates for honeybee hives improved for the 2015 and 2016 winters.Things are looking up everywhere, he said. “There's a misunderstanding that the honeybee population is collapsing, but that's not true. In cities and on farms, everyone is pitching in to save bees.”Alex Binkley is a freelance journalist and writes for domestic and international publications about agriculture, food and transportation issues. He's also the author of two science fiction novels with more in the works.