Urban Beekeepers, Send Us Your Photos!

The Daily Green is teaming up with Kim Flottum, our own Beekeeper, and his magazine, Bee Culture, to highlight the most exciting, unusual and innovative beekeepers out there: Urban beekeepers.

"We want all urban dwellers with beehives and bee suits, with hive tools and smokers, with supers and covers and frames galore to stand and be counted, to be recognized and noticed," as Kim says. "We want every and all of America's backyard, roof top, window box, fire escape, empty lot and anywhere-else-in-the-city honey-makers to join the hive and let the world know you're alive. Let’s get everyone with every hive, in every large or small, crowded or sparse asphalt landscape around the towns and the cities, the suburbs and gardens of America’s everywhere and anywhere to share what they do, show what they grow, and feel pride in their work, their passion and their hobby. It’s no matter if you just started out or are already seasoned in city bees. And if it’s not kosher to keep bees where you are, we won’t tell, we won’t share because we don’t care ... we want the world to know there are thousands who are working to make the bees at home. Thousands who want only the bees, only the peace, only the gentle gift of helping things grow."

Indeed. So send us your photos, and let us share them with other beekeepers and the world. In the meantime, check out these awesome videos by Liza de Gula (a.k.a. SkeeterNYC), about the bright cheery underworld of illegal Brooklyn beekeeping, Brooklyn's Urban Beekeepers: Breaking The Law For The Planet. Here's how she introduces her films:

"Sometimes laws are meant to be broken. Meet a passionate crew of illegal urban beekeepers in Brooklyn, New York working on their very first honey harvest for their restaurants. Find out why raising bees on NYC rooftops is important for Mother Earth. And be inspired to get into the illegal 'bees'ness of urban beekeeping in your own backyard or rooftop. It's not only fun, but dangerous, especially if you don't like wearing bee suits!"

If you are keeping bees in an urban (or other unusual) location, please send a high-quality photo of the bees, the hives and/or yourself with your name and contact information, and a short description of your location and beekeeping operation to: Dan Shapley at dshapley@hearst.com (preferably) or to The Daily Green, 300 West 57th St, New York, NY 10019. By sending photos and descriptions, you give The Daily Green and Bee Culture the right to publish the material and share it with its partners. (See Terms of Service and Community Guidelines.)

Until we hear from you, here are a few shots to whet your appetite:

Bees in Exurbia

Once a quiet, peaceful farm, this land is now a housing development. The bees, however, haven't budged. Photo by Kim Flottum

Rooftop Beekeeping in Suburban New Jersey

Shilling keeps his bees on the roof to keep them safe from black bears. Photo by Gary Shilling.

Anonymous Hives in Downtown Cleaveland, Ohio

Vacant lots make for good bee yards on the edge of downtown Cleaveland. Photo by Gwen Rosenberg.

Beekeeping in Small Town Mississippi

Beekeepers have to keep bees away from trouble spots, like nearby swimming pools, birdbaths and pet water dishes. This beekeeper keeps his bees at home with an automatic watering system. Photo by Kim Flottum.

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