Urban beekeeping has been gaining popularity with landlords of both commercial and residential properties as a fun and engaging activity that supports ESG efforts and contributes to the health and well-being of local communities.
If you have not yet explored the idea of “keeping bees” at your properties, here are three reasons why you may want to consider it.
- Most of us are familiar with the environmental benefits of bees: they play a vital role in pollinating plants and crops, including many of the foods we eat. But did you know that bees can actually flourish in urban areas? This is because of the absence of pesticides, an abundance of water and floral resources, and a temperate climate. In return, bees create a sustainable urban ecology, facilitating pollination for plants in gardens, and accelerating the growth of fruits and vegetables. We can help to maintain and improve the health of local ecosystems by providing bees with a safe and healthy place to live and thrive.
- There are also social benefits: urban beekeeping provides an opportunity to educate and engage with tenants. By offering people the opportunity to observe and learn about bees and participate in workshops like honey tasting and candle making, a more involved and dynamic tenant experience can be created. Through urban beekeeping, we can give back to our communities by providing a source of honey and other products made from beeswax, as well as creating opportunities for meaningful engagement.
- From a governance standpoint, landlords that engage in urban beekeeping can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship – building trust and credibility with stakeholders which can have a positive impact on reputation and long-term success.
Getting started with urban beekeeping isn’t difficult, but taking care of bees requires time, effort, and experience, and for those reasons it’s important to work with a reputable urban beekeeping company. Beekeepers are assigned to properties and are responsible for setting up the hives, installing the bee colonies, and making regular visits to check on the bees and manage the hive throughout the season.
Not all properties are ideal for bees, however. Bees need plenty of space to forage and gather nectar, so it’s important to make sure there is enough space to accommodate a hive or two, and to choose a hive location that is protected from the wind and has access to sunlight.
If you are interested in learning more about how to launch an urban beekeeping program at one of your properties, please reach out to your Property Manager. We have run programs in both residential and commercial buildings and would be happy to talk about the bees!