The Secret Life of Bees by Nick Dorian

BABA & The Trustees present THE SECRET LIVES OF BEES, a lecture by Nick Dorian, native bee expert and Tufts PhD candidate. You’ve probably heard the saying “Save the bees!” as news reports of global insect declines flood the media. But do you know which bees need saving? Over 4000 species of bees inhabit North […]

D.I.Y Mason Bee House

In this speedy workshop (30 min to one hour), you will learn several ways to make a very simple mason bee house, where and how to hang it, and the ideal time of year to watch these industrious bees as they come and go. Mason bees are extraordinary pollinators, even more efficient than honey bees, […]

BABA Open House: Meet, Greet and Chat

It's a party!... kind of.  Someday soon we'll all be able to hang out together (!) but, until then, Zoom over to the online social, see some familiar friends and meet new ones, and bring some fun beekeeping stories and a few of those nagging questions we all have.  We're scheduled to end at 7:30 […]

Watch a Package Install, Live!

Watch live as Maureen Coello hives a package of bees into a Langstroth; Additionally, Maureen will discuss several hiving techniques, including hot weather vs. cold weather installs. BABA will try to make a recording available for future viewing.

BABA Lecture Series; Urban Beekeeping at the Museum of Science

For our next lecture, this Thursday, April 22, MoS beekeepers Amelia Green (museum horticulturalist) and Cori Brant (invertebrate keeper), will discuss their work and research at the museum, including: -A look inside the invertebrate lab and Butterfly Garden; -Beekeeping in the Museum’s rooftop and observation hives; -Data collection techniques while beekeeping; -Urban honeybee welfare and […]

Swarm Management & Hive Splits workshop

Join us for an informal discussion and deep dive into managing hives to avoid swarming. One of the best methods to suppress a colony’s urge to swarm is to simply split your hive. Therefore, the methods and mechanics of hive splits will also be discussed in some detail. We’re hoping that everyone will gain the […]

BABA Potluck!

Gather at the Boston Nature Center gazebo at 10am, Saturday, August 28, and bring food/snacks, drink (no C2H6O), your smoker, show & tell items,... BABA members (and a guest) are free.  Non-BABA members may attend, but are encouraged to join ($20). There will be games and demos, equipment swaps, a smoker contest (to see who […]

Rachael Bonoan – Love That Dirty Water; Why Do Honey Bees Like Dirty Water?

Honey bees tend to prefer dirty water to clean water. Dr. Bonoan investigated how honey bees might supplement their floral diet with minerals from “dirty water,” and what this means for honey bee nutrition throughout the year. She will answer “Why do honey bees like dirty water?”, share some tips on giving your bees a […]

Landi Simone – Products of the Hive — Making and Preparing for the Holidays and Beyond

Landi Simone, owner of Gooserock Farm LLC, in northern New Jersey, will share her experience as a commercial beekeeper, turning the products of her ~100 hives into premium varietal honeys, artisan honey spreads, beeswax cosmetics and handmade beeswax soaps.  Landi will share her tips and tricks for boosting production and honing marketing strategies, as well […]

Winterizing Workshop (In-Person & Zoom)

The discussion will begin with a quick review of the physiology of a winter hive, and the bees' strategies for collecting and storing honey.  Then we'll dive right in with a look at: Wraps, from Bee-Cozies to tar-paper to straw bales and more.  Then we'll look at; Insulating above the colony, starting with quilt boxes, […]