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Emily Huffstetler, a high school senior, is on a mission to save the dwindling bee population by building bee houses and holding workshops in her community.
Five years ago, Emily’s family built a Mason Bee house, which started her on a journey of educating herself and others about the species. Mason bees are unique in that they are solitary, do not sting or are prone to diseases, and are very effective pollinators. She was stunned to learn that last year alone, there was a 33% depletion in the bee population. She decided to be part of changing that statistic and focused her Girl Scout Gold Award toward that mission.
Sustainable Bee Houses Aid the Bee Population
Emily now holds workshops where she brings mugs and straws made from recycled materials and assists her community in building their own mini Mason Bee houses. These sustainable bee houses support the bees as they lay their eggs in the tiny compartments and without a need for maintenance. So far, she has taught hundreds of individuals about Mason Bees. In addition, she developed an informational website and Instagram, @buildforbees, to educate the public.
Learn how to make a Mason Bee House
By partnering with local beekeepers and organizations to gain expert knowledge to teach others, Emily says she’s gained better people skills and has become a more confident communicator through this Gold Award project.
“Because of Girl Scouts,” said Emily, “I have been able to experiment with different things and gain leadership positions that I otherwise wouldn’t have had the opportunity.”
About the Girl Scout Gold Award
Since 1916, girls have been making meaningful, sustainable change in their communities and around the world. The Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement a Girl Scout can earn, acknowledges the power behind each Gold Award Girl Scout’s dedication to not only empowering and bettering herself, but also to making the world a better place for others.
About the Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians The Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians has almost 14 thousand girl and adult members in 46 counties from southwest Virginia, through eastern Tennessee, and northern Georgia. Girl Scouts is open to all girls from kindergarten through their senior year in high school. Girls are welcome to join throughout the year. For more information, visit girlscoutcsa.org or call 800.474.1912.
