It is an idea that Jennifer Hopwood believes is worth buzzing about: Wildflowers planted on Kansas roadsides could play a key role in preserving the state’s 100 species of bees.

“We have hundreds of thousands of miles of roadsides in Kansas,” Hopwood said. “We could be preserving lots of insect species.”

The Kansas University graduate student in ecology and evolutionary biology embarked on a study this summer to determine whether wildflowers planted alongside Kansas roads lead to a healthier bee population.

The research focuses on six of the eight wildflower restoration sites established by the Kansas Department of Transportation. Hopwood planned to measure the number of bees at those six sites and compare the figures with six roadsides that have only weeds.

Bee populations worldwide are on the decline, and Hopwood said having more wildflower plantings could help boost numbers. Bees pollinate flowers and other plants, which helps the entire ecosystem.

Most of the roadside restoration areas are in northeastern Kansas, with one along the Kansas Turnpike near Topeka and another between Lawrence and Kansas City on Kansas Highway 10.

The research, which Hopwood said she hoped to turn into her master’s thesis, recently received a $10,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Anheuser-Busch.