Maeve ’27 is managing five honeybee colonies to support local ecosystems and farms, deepening her connection to nature through the mindful, deliberate practice of beekeeping and the quiet bonds formed with hundreds of thousands of bees.
This summer I am managing five honeybee colonies in order to increase pollination in the surrounding ecosystems and farms.
I have always believed that a connection with an animal is pure and authentic. I believe that bonds that come from these relationships are unlike any other experience. This summer I grew to value my relationships with animals even more. I bonded with five colonies and hundreds of thousands of honeybees.
Managing the hives has required me to slow down in every action I take. When beekeeping, it is critical to stay calm and deliberate in order to avoid angering the bees. This slower pace has provided more opportunities to appreciate the bees and the surrounding flora. Last week, before I left the hives for the day, I stopped in front of a flower where a bee had landed. I sat there for a few minutes watching. The simple act of observing the bees strengthens my understanding of nature and motivates me to beekeep.
