So you want to know about bee health?

Yes, there's an app for that--and you're welcome to download it for free.

Our good neighbor to the north of us, Alberta Agriculture, has just developed Phase 1 of its  “Bee Health."

 "It focuses on bee diseases symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options," says Provincial Apiculturist Medhat Nasr of the Crop Research and Extension Division, Crop Diversification Centre North, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Developed for iOS and Android platforms, it can be downloaded to the iPhone, the Samsung phone family and iPad. To download to iPad, you need to use the "iPhone only" option for down loading.

"We are currently working on the second phase that will include diagnoses of diseases based on symptoms," Nasr says. "It will also include an interactive feature to communicate with Alberta registered beekeepers It will facilitate bee diseases diagnostics, and communication to provide recommendations on line. Pictures can be emailed to Alberta apiculture staff for assistance in diagnoses. Broadcasting warnings of pest outbreaks will also be included. All reports and findings will be recorded in the provincial bee pest surveillance database."

He urges us to "please help yourself and download the app." To find the app, search App Store or Google Play store for "bee health" or follow this link: http://www.programs.alberta.ca/17713.aspx#ad-image-0

Have a question or a comment? You can reach him at medhat.nasr@gov.ab.ca

This is a great show of sharing and collaboration for one common cause we all care about: improving bee health.