The Buzz On Our New Beehive

The honeybees have arrived at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center! One of nature’s live “honey factories” is now on display in the Exhibit Hallway, thanks to a generous contribution from the Stickney family.

Wildlife Specialist Derek Skapes spearheaded our beehive effort, enlisting local Beekeeper Scott Danniger to supply workers, drones and a single queen (in the close-up photo below, she’s in the center with the shiny greenish marking on her back.) Scott and his assistant/son, Ethan, donned the familiar beekeeper’s protective headgear, calmed the bees with smoke, and then lifted the insect-covered frames into our newly constructed display.
A group of lucky Log Cabin Explorer’s got to witness the transfer process through our front door windows.

A small clear tube connects the hive to the outdoors, where the workers can gather nectar to create the honey. Honeybees are one of humans’ most valuable insects; not only for the honey and beeswax they produce but even more so for the way they pollinate our plants and crops. A large honeybee population can quadruple the growth of a field!

If you want to read and see more about these fascinating creatures before you visit the Center's new Stickney Honeybee Exhibit, the PBS program, Nova, has great honeybee information at this web address. The Stickney's gift also funded a colorful display full of fun facts right by the hive as well! Hope you'll buzz by to explore the hive soon!

P.S. You'll find more photos on our Facebook Page.