Apiary Program

Buzzing Towards Sustainability!

Did you know that the Upper Mattaponi Tribe manages bees? In 2023, we started on a new adventure - and we are still learning! Our goal is to cultivate healthy hives to support pollinators, protect biodiversity, and enhance community wellbeing. Check out the photos showing some of the frames from in our hive!

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What's the Buzz?

Here are some fun facts about our bees!

  • All worker honeybees are female, male honeybees or "drones" do very little in the hive
  • Bees defend their hive from predatory hornets and wasps by collectively overwhelming them and vibrating, cooking the predator
  • When honeybees swarm, they are least likely to sting potential aggressors as they don't have a 'home' to defend
  • Aside from the queen, most bees can only sting a single time
  • A queen bee is made by feeding a bee larvae 'royal jelly', a very nutrient rch jelly that alters the formation of the larvae to allow for distinct features
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Above: Johnathan and Connor check out the beehive.

Left: Andi holds up a beehive frame.