​I wish I could say that my journey into beekeeping began in some profound manner, especially as a person who has spent years working on policies that impact the environment and food security. But the truth is that I started playing The Sims 4 to keep myself entertained during the pandemic, and the game had a beekeeping feature. As I played, I thought, “I can do this.” And that is how my beekeeping journey began. 

From there, I joined a local association of beekeepers and took their course for beginning beekeepers. Even after taking the course, I didn't fully know what to expect. The responsibilities of beekeeping change throughout the year. Depending on the circumstances, I need to check the hive weekly, biweekly, or even monthly. Hive checks mainly consist of ensuring the bees are doing what they should — laying eggs, collecting nectar and pollen, making honey — and there are no pests. 

There are unpleasant aspects of beekeeping, the most obvious being bee stings. However, there are challenges that I never anticipated. I never imagined that I would grow so attached to my bees, which means I think about them frequently. Is the hive too hot? Is their water the perfect balance of not being too clean, but not too dirty? Do I need to give them sugar water? But the questions don’t stop during their more dormant time in the winter. Is it too cold for them? Are they still alive? Is there enough honey for them? Do I need to leave them fondant (a mix of sugar and water that offers bees food during the winter)? Do they have oxygen after a snow? 

At the same time, beekeeping has been so much more rewarding than I anticipated — even though I don’t have honey yet. As a woman who grew up in Washington, D.C., I always thought of myself as a city girl whose life is often removed from nature, so becoming a beekeeper has been an important part of my own self-discovery. I mean, how many beekeepers have you met over the years? Let alone Black beekeepers? 
Beekeeping has also taught me how to let go of control in my pursuit of perfection. The bees don’t need me to control them; they know what they are doing. I have learned to trust the process and let the bees do what God has created them to do. All I can do is help create an environment where they can thrive, but my work is minimal. As long as they do what they are supposed to do, I have to let them be (no pun intended). In reflection, I think that’s a perfect example of how I need to treat life. Instead of trying to control everything, I do what I can, but at the end of the day, let God be God. 

Patience is a virtue in life — and beekeeping. Ethical and sustainable beekeeping means it can take at least two years to get honey. New bee colonies — the queen, the work bees, the drones — only make enough honey in the first year for themselves, so many small-scale beekeepers do not harvest until they’re sure the bees have what they need to survive the winter. It is hard getting stung multiple times, spending hot sweaty days in the sun, and trekking through snow without any reward of honey. But waiting for honey is a reminder that the bees are not a commodity that I can control; I am merely a steward. 

The most important lesson that I have learned from the bees is the beauty of community. Bees are not concerned about their individual selves; the survival of the colony comes before the needs of any bee, including the queen. I think it is beautiful to see such selflessness. No one bee can do every task of the hive. Bees all serve their role which requires an assembly line of sorts: some bees scout for pollen and nectar, they let other bees know where to go, then they bring the pollen and nectar back, passing it down a line from one bee to another before it is put into frames that hold the honeycomb. This community work is efficient and necessary for their collective mission. 

All of these things have shaped how I view my work in environmental policy and food security, issues I care deeply about but don’t have to encounter directly much of the time. I know many people face wildfires, droughts, and flooding in the wake of our ongoing climate and biodiversity crisis, but I don’t feel the immediate impacts of those crises here in D.C. But my ability to care for the bees is heavily dictated by the weather: A record-breaking heat wave or unexpected freeze can mean life or death for the hive. Now, when I speak with farmers, I better understand how extreme heat and cold can devastate their livelihoods. 

Even though I couldn’t have expected the lessons I’d learn through it, I am grateful for beekeeping. Stewarding a hive has breathed more life into my advocacy work and showed me the importance of doing my part to protect and restore the planet — work that must be done patiently and always in community. 

*Used with permission from the author. Karyn Bigelow is co-executive director of Creation Justice. She has served as the policy advisor and project manager as well policy analyst and research analyst at Bread for the World, focusing on the intersections of climate change, food security, and racial equity.  

Bees, birds, butterflies, bats, beetles, moths, ants, flies, wasps, and small mammals are all pollinators. We need them to ensure beautiful blooms and fresh food in our gardens and in our stores, but the use of insecticides and other harmful chemicals, as well as habitat destruction, has reduced their numbers. There is good news though. You can help save the pollinators by planting the right species in your suburban garden!

We’ve heard of planting milkweed to save the monarch butterflies, but did you know that many other native insects are losing their native food sources as well? Renowned author and native plant advocate, Doug Tallamy, recently spoke in Western New York about the importance of planting native species to support a diversity of native insects and pollinators in our gardens. He mentions that we have taken 95% of the U.S. from nature be converting it to cities and farms and can thus expect to lose 95% of the species that once lived here unless we learn how to share our spaces with biodiversity.

Oak trees can support over 500 different species of caterpillars! An ornamental tree, such as a lilac, doesn’t support any caterpillars locally. Birds eat caterpillars and other insects to survive. By planting native species, you are encouraging a healthy ecosystem in your neighborhood and increasing the chances of seeing beautiful creatures in your backyard. Studies have shown that modest increases in native plant cover in suburban areas can have dramatic increases in the number of local pollinators and breeding birds that rely on them for food.

Residents can convert portions of their lawn to gardens to help save pollinators. Alternatively, as plants die in your garden, consider replacing them with native species. Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper has a native plant guide available with local trees, shrubs, vines, ferns, grasses, groundcovers, and perennials to consider in your garden. Many local nurseries are increasing their selection of native plants, but some species are already relatively common to find such as Purple Cone Flower (Echinacea purpurea) and Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta). For variety, consider planting other pollinator-friendly flowers in your garden as well.
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The Kenmore Village Improvement Society wants to help our bee population by providing a plant called Bee's Friend (Phacelia tanacetifolia) free of charge.  It is a long-blooming plant with lacey fern-like leaves and buds that unfurl with a succession of delicate lavender blooms. It also attracts other pollinators. The free seeds will be available by contacting the Society at [email protected] or (716) 877-0477.  Please be mindful of those with allergic reactions to bees when selecting the place to plant the seeds. 
Even gardens on small plots of land can be welcoming to pollinators and can contribute to a healthy ecosystem. We can all do our part to protect the pollinators and enjoy beautiful gardens.