Current:Home > NewsUrban beekeeping project works to restore honey bee populations with hives all over Washington, D.C. -Wealth Legacy Solutions
Urban beekeeping project works to restore honey bee populations with hives all over Washington, D.C.
View
Date:2025-04-16 08:39:19
From rooftops to government gardens, embassies to office buildings, if you know where to look, you'll find honey bees buzzing all over Washington, D.C.
The cityscape has become a hospitable home to the pollinators. About 15 years ago, honey bee populations hit an all-time low, so in 2014, former President Barack Obama launched a national strategy to protect and promote the insects. Bees and other pollinators are critical to the global food supply, pollinating about a third of the world's crops and three-fourths of all flowering plants.
Soon after Obama's strategy was launched, hives were humming at government facilities across the country.
Some live in unassuming boxes at a secure compound near the U.S. State Department. They're team-oriented, mission-focused drones, making them the perfect federal employees. The sweet honey they produce is just a bonus.
"We try to keep them apolitical," joked Keith Hanigan, the State Department's deputy assistant secretary in charge of operations. He's also in charge of the building's bees.
"Bees is really one of the most important things I do here for the State Department," Hanigan said. "We wanted to do our part, and we (knew) that other agencies were getting involved as well. So it seemed like something small and simple that we could do."
Thanks to the diligent efforts of beekeepers, the honey bee population has largely rebounded and stabilized over the past few years, even as pesticides, mites and habitat loss still pose a threat.
While bees historically haven't gotten very good buzz, the project is helping rehabilitate their image.
"I think now you see them and you want to nurture them, you want to take care of them," Hanigan said. "I think it's really raised the awareness, certainly for me, but I think for a lot of our staff."
Urban beekeepers like Solomon Jeong say that education efforts are also helping to win over hearts and minds.
"A lot more people are more aware of like, how important (bees) are, as well as how cute they are," Jeong said. "If you see a photo, they're fuzzy and round. It's almost like a teddy bear or something."
Teaching people about bee habits also helps, Jeong said.
"(Honey bees are) not going to be interested in you or your food. They're not going to be like 'Oh, there's a human, let's go sting them,'" Jeong said.
The bees aren't just on U.S. government buildings. On the rooftop of the Canadian embassy, there are tens of thousands of bees, led by queen bees nicknamed "Bee-Once" and "Celine Bee-on."
Sean Robertson, who manages the facility for the Canadian government, said the bees churn out about 100 jars of honey each year.
"I often say it's one of my favorite parts of my job, actually coming up here and getting to work with the bees," Robertson said.
- In:
- Bees
- Washington
- Washington D.C.
Kerry Breen is a news editor and reporter for CBS News. Her reporting focuses on current events, breaking news and substance use.
veryGood! (19)
Related
- Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
- Mountain West Conference survives as 7 remaining schools sign agreement to stay in league
- Montana man arrested for intentionally running a motorcycle off the road and killing the driver
- Florida man files a lawsuit to prevent Ohtani’s 50th HR ball from going to auction
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
- NFL bold predictions: Which players, teams will surprise most in Week 4?
- How to watch the vice presidential debate between Walz and Vance
- Dallas Cowboys pull out win in sloppy Thursday Night Football game vs. New York Giants
- Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
- Jury deliberation begins in the trial over Memphis rapper Young Dolph’s killing
Ranking
- Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
- Stevie Nicks releases rousing feminist anthem: 'May be the most important thing I ever do'
- Fed’s favored inflation gauge shows cooling price pressures, clearing way for more rate cuts
- Plane with a 'large quantity of narcotics' emergency lands on California highway: Reports
- See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
- Macklemore clarifies remark made at pro-Palestine concert in Seattle: 'Sometimes I slip up'
- Plane with a 'large quantity of narcotics' emergency lands on California highway: Reports
- Emmanuel Littlejohn executed in Oklahoma despite clemency recommendation from state board
Recommendation
Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
Mark Zuckerberg faces deposition in AI copyright lawsuit from Sarah Silverman and other authors
Ozempic is so popular people are trying to 'microdose' it. Is that a bad idea?
Meeting Messi is dream come true for 23 Make-A-Wish families
Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
Florida man files a lawsuit to prevent Ohtani’s 50th HR ball from going to auction
Selma Blair’s 13-Year-Old Son Arthur Is Her Mini-Me at Paris Fashion Week
California Governor Signs Bills to Tighten Restrictions on Oil and Gas Drillers