California is home to over 1600 native bees. These hardworking insects are vital to a thriving ecosystem, but they are under threat from habitat loss, pesticide use and other stressors. To support our native bees, make sure your garden includes a mix of native plants that flower from late winter into the fall. Since a majority of native bees live in the ground, provide areas of bare soil or ground that is lightly mulched or covered with a thin layer of leaves. And do not use insecticides, particularly neonicotinoids. The UC Davis Arboretum website provides information about some of our native bees. Here’s a list of bee-friendly native plants from the Theodore Payne Foundation.