Our Beekeeping Program: School House Apiary

At the heart of our center, alongside our gardens and animal ambassadors, live some of our most vital and fascinating residents: our honeybees. We maintain four active hives—three traditional Langstroth hives and one observation-friendly Top Bar hive—as a living laboratory for sustainability, ecology, and stewardship.

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Our apiary is a hub of hands-on learning and conservation. Through our popular elementary program, “What’s the Buzz About?” students get an up-close look at the complex social world of the hive. They learn about the irreplaceable role of pollinators in our food systems, the amazing biology of bees, and the sweet rewards of their work through guided honey tastings.

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The learning continues with our High School Internship Program, where students don protective gear and work alongside our educators to perform hive inspections, monitor colony health, and participate in seasonal harvests. This direct experience builds responsibility, scientific skills, and a deep appreciation for these essential insects.

Beyond education, our bees are active partners in pollinating our gardens and farm, creating a thriving, interconnected ecosystem right here on our grounds. They remind us that even the smallest creatures play a critical role in our environment’s health.

Join us in celebrating the wonder of bees—from the buzz in the hive to the honey in the jar.