 currently at our disposal are people that are very aware of the problem and are ready and anxious to learn how to do the job.
We can obtain the resources that are needed from non-governmental organizations or perhaps from government support funds, civil associations interested in protecting the bees and/or companies who are committed to protecting the environment.
The budget estimate: taking into account that we need tools and materials, in addition we will also need full bee keeper equipment that costs $1,380.00 pesos per person, adding up to be $6,900.00 pesos for five people. The purchase of honey bee boxes which are $350.00 a piece. We will start off with 50, so it will come to a total of $17,500.00, a used vehicle at $35,000.00, computer $5000.00, and tables and chairs for $3,000.00. The acquisition of these items will allow us to begin the operation of honey bee conservation and the total amount needed will come to the sum of $74,400.00 pesos—taking into consideration that this amount is the initial investment that we will need to begin the project.
The following list is the weekly costs to pay the worker’s wages, transportation to rescue sites, and movement of the hives. A weekly wage of $1,700 pesos will be assigned to each worker and $2,500 will be paid to the group coordinator. The gas needed to run the vehicles may vary depending on distances of the location of the hives that will need to be rescued, but we will assign a weekly average amount of $800.00. The weekly costs will come to a sum of $5,000.00. The costs of electricity, water, paper, and telephone will vary but we’ve estimated that to be at $500.00 a week. The initial estimate that is needed to cover the expenses of the initial month will be $22,000.00 pesos a month.
On the other hand, as it has already been mentioned, in due time the bees will begin producing their honey, pollen, and etc. And the groups that are able to take advantage of these resources will have products to sell in the communities and this will give them a means to make money, they may also accept any donation or grant that is given to them.
Recognizing that the groups are committed to the environment, in their downtime, they will create nurseries full of plants that can be used in the cattle industry and agriculture that will in time work for the beneﬁt of the bees. Also, talks were held in the local communities to bring awareness of the plight of the bees. And allow us to make the suggestion to the community that they should be planting fruit trees that do not affect buildings nor the security of the population, such as citrus, peaches, loquats, apple, pear, apricot, Capulin trees, and vines like grapes, kiwi and blackberries that help to generate oxygen and refresh the environment.
(Ed. Note: This article was composed by Carlos Sanchez, a beekeeper for more than 25 years with work experience in various states of the Mexican Republic, United States (including Hawaii) and Canada. The Ojo does not ordinarily promote free of charge the solicitation of funds, but given the vital importance of the bee population to our area, we have made an exception in this case.)
For those that wish to help, anything that you could give would be greatly appreciated. For more information, please contact Carlos at: 327-109-4267 or E-mail him at email@example.com)