Honey Bee Inspirations; the Captivating World of Honey Bees and Beekeeping with Joanna Diamond

Saturday, 10 am to 12:00 pm

$20 for members; $25 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission).

Registration is required; class size is limited to 35 adults; all classes are non-refundable; classes held inside.

This class will cover topics ranging from little known but intriguing facts about honey bees, why honey bees in particular are so important as pollinators, do we need to be afraid of bees or should bees be afraid of us, and dispelling myths and misconceptions about bees.  We will discuss why honey bee populations are declining, the facts behind swarms and swarming, what you can do when you spot a swarm, what you can do to help bees, and we will go behind the scenes of live bee removals.  We will talk about becoming a beekeeper, what it involves, and in particular, can you become a beekeeper if you’re afraid of bees. We will have a short overview of Orchid Bees, followed by an introduction to the fascinating world of honey, including how and why bees make honey, and what honey is best. We will wrap up the event with a honey tasting session. Raw wildflower honey will be available to buy after class, as well as Orchid Bee feeders and Honey Bee Revival Kits.

About Instructor Joanna Diamond:

Born and raised in South Africa, Joanna’s goal is to save as many honey bees as she can. Previously a volunteer for a Bee Rescue & Removal charity, she has assisted with countless bee removals and currently has four bee hives in her garden (which is a Certified Wildlife Habitat). She now works with a south Florida beekeeper and live bee removal specialist who she highly recommends for live bee removals. Her message is that honey bees are our best friends and full-time unpaid employees, working tirelessly for our benefit for no reward, they’re struggling to survive and we need to do everything we can as a global community to help them.