How You Can Help Stop More Bees From Going Extinct In NJ

In less than 20 years, the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee went from being common through over half of the country, including New Jersey, to officially endangered. One hasn't been spotted in our home state since at least 2000.

A new project wants to help slow down the loss of more bees, and it's super easy for anyone to become involved.

In a clever bit of marketing mixed with environmental protection, Cheerios is offering free wildflower seeds for anyone to plant as they like.

The goal is to provide more food and nutrition for bees, and encourage more growth of their colonies, which are vitally important to agriculture.

We've lost the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee from New Jersey, but they have been spotted still in 13 U.S. states and Ontario, so it's not out of the realm of possibility that we can encourage them back to our gardens right here in the Garden State.

Just click here to head over to the Cheerios website and request your free packet of seeds.

UPDATE - In the hour and a half since I posted this story, Cheerios has actually run out of their supply of free seeds. But don't let that discourage you! You can still help the cause by planting your own wildflowers. As spring approaches, there will be plenty of opportunities to get those gardens in shape!

Up Next - One of our favorite signs of spring? Baby animals!