For the last couple of years, I have been slowly developing a passion for honey bees, fueled by a combination of delicious varieties of local honey, a passion for sustainable agriculture, and a fascination with the inner workings of bee hives. When I returned to New York City I decided to look for a venue for my new hobby. To my delight, a flurry of Google searches eventually turned up the New York City Beekeeping Meetup Group, and I promptly signed up. As per the Meetup group arrangements, I arrived this past Sunday at Green Spaces in Brooklyn for the introduction for “New-bees” (adorable, I know), or people who are new to beekeeping. A sweet old man named John explained to a group of around thirty people the details of urban beekeeping. The exciting thing about beekeeping in New York is that it is actually illegal, though very rarely enforced, so you get the thrill of committing a crime without any pesky incarceration. Not to mention honey.
Beekeeping is about more than honey and cool jumpsuits. Bees are essential to our ecosystem and consequently our survival. Honey bees pollinate ninety different types of farm-grown food in America, and that’s not even including all of the other types of plants we rely on for oxygen. The honey bee population has plummeted by about seventy percent, due to a long list of reasons including pesticides, habitat loss, and parasites. Beekeeping is an easy, fun, educational, and potentially lucrative way to make a truly positive impact on your local environment. If you still can’t be bothered, or just can’t right now, you can support local beekeepers by buying local (and delicious) honey or beeswax. If you live in New York go to Gotham City Bees for more information. Through their Honey Co-op you can get a free hive from a sponsor who doesn’t want to do it themselves, or you can adopt a beehive and get someone to take care of it for you. You can also sign a petition to legalize beekeeping in New York City here. See what all the buzz is about!
There, I made a pun. You’re welcome.
