Backyard Beekeeper on a Quest As our suburbs grow, more wild spaces that used to the home of patches of wildflowers have turned into long stretches of green lawn. No flowers means no food for bees. Ultimately, they lose habitat and that is one of the many stressors they face these days. A backyard beekeeper wants to change this trend. She only notices because she keeps bees and knows their ways, and that is only because of her husband's sweet tooth. Jeanne Hansen developed a new hobby eight years ago when she decided having her own honey source would save on household costs. She has never gotten into major production, but four hives keep her well stocked in honey for her honey. Lately, though, she's seen firsthand the drop in honey bees where she lives. "It seems to me that the biggest problem is enough to eat," said Jeanne. She has contacted the city of Madison in the hope that keeping areas that are city run - like bike paths - can be preserved as wild. If you want to make a difference in the effort to save the bees, you don't need to set up a hive in your yard. A few colorful flowers of the right kind is all you need. In addition, plantain and milkweed, along with ground mint will help honey bees thrive.