Sustainability
Beekeepers have knowledge of the intense value of honeybees in our society and world. It is important to be a good steward to bees that make homes in the hives we keep and continue to evolve in our relationship with them.
Photo by Sierra Castillo
Sustainable beekeeping is making an effort to maintain and increase our bee population and seek new, non-threatening ways to keep bees. Just keeping bees, in what ever fashion is sustainable.
Some "sustainable" bee practices are precise, and dictate how to best manage bees and the apiary, including the type of hives to use.
Beekeeping is sustainable with significant outcomes.
- Pollination of flowering plants, both wild and cultivated, is vital for continued life on earth. However, this essential process is difficult to quantify.
- People everywhere like honey, the best-known beekeeping product. Honey is a traditional medicine or food in most societies. Whether sold fresh or in sophisticated packaging, honey generates income and can create livelihood.
- Beeswax is a valuable product of beekeeping, and much of the world's supply comes from developing countries.
- Beekeeping products such as pollen, propolis and royal jelly can be harvested and marketed, although special techniques and equipment are needed for some of these products.
- Beekeepers can create assets by using honey, beeswax and other products to make secondary products such as candles, skin ointments and beer.
- Beekeepers are generally respected for their craft. Bees and beekeeping have a wholesome reputation.
SCBA has close ties to the organization Partners for Sustainable Pollination (PFSP), and encourages members to visit their website to find out more of what they can do to help the bees. There are many new sustainable beekeeping practices, SCBA encourages discussion and sharing insights. Come to a meeting and learn more.