Promoting honeybee culture, native pollinators, and ecosystem awareness in Kansas City
Honeybee Culture
Humans have been keeping honeybees for over 5,000 years, and gathering it in the wild for much longer. Honey bees pollinate nearly all of our flowering plants, make possible one of every three bites humans eat, and serve as food for other insects and birds. Honey bees have become a necessary part of our natural ecosystem and food cycle, and keeping them is a meaningful and rewarding hobby. Bee KC is devoted to spreading the love of honeybees and awareness of their importance to our everyday lives.
Native Pollinators
Kansas City’s region is home to over 400 species of native bees, who build homes in the ground or in wood shelters, and who have interesting lives and a crucial role in our ecosystem. Native bees are actually more efficient at pollinating plants than honey bees, as they visit more than one type of flower at a time and do not retain as much pollen on their trips. One common criticism of keeping European honey bees is that they compete with local pollinators; we believe that both can coexist and play a role in our lives. For that reason we promote the creation and placement of habitats for local bees and others, and spread knowledge and awareness of these animals.
Building Community
Beekeeping and its products have a truly remarkable network of connection to our community. Honey, pollen, propolis, and royal jelly can be used in food and drink in our homes, restaurants, breweries and more. Honey bees and native pollinators make the rest of the produce sold in the markets and grocery stores possible, and do the same work in all urban and community farms and gardens. Beekeeping is a hobby pursued by people of all ages and backgrounds. Bee culture has the potential to bring together so many people from so many areas of our city, and that is what Bee KC exists to do.