Beekeeping Talk Coming to Wayland Library

The information below was submitted by Wayland Library Director Ann Knight.

On Tuesday, May 7, at 7:30 p.m. Katrien Vander Stræten will be in the Raytheon Room at Wayland Public Library to talk about local honeybees and beekeeping during the final last Great Presenters program of the season.

Out of concern for the honeybee, a species that is crucial to our food production but that has seen sharp declines, Vander Stræten started with one hive in 2010 and now has three hives in her backyard in Wayland. Noticing the interest in bees, she put a small ad in the press calling all beekeepers and bee enthusiasts.

Response to the ad resulted in the BEElieve group, which grew quickly, resulting in five new "beeks" and eight new colonies in its first season. The group strives to support new and veteran beekeepers, to regrow the local honeybee population, and to raise awareness about the need and the plight of honeybees.

Vander Stræten will discuss all these aspects as well as some lesser known facts, and beliefs, about this gentle, hardworking insect.

To read more about Vander Stræten and her beekeeping history, see "Bees: They're All the Buzz in Wayland."