**Bee Society: A Hub for Students to Learn About Honeybees and Beekeeping**
The **Bee Society**, a student-run organization on campus, aims to educate students about honeybees and their importance as pollinators. The organization was founded by **Connor Martin**, a third-year bioengineering major, who is also the **President and Founder** of the **Bee Society**. The **Bee Society** hosted its grand opening of **Northbeestern** Bee School on **March 27**, led by **Connor Martin**, a third-year bioengineering major. The goal of **Bee School** is to educate students about honeybees and their natural function as pollinators. The educational meeting began with an overview of honeybee anatomy, job distribution in the hive, mating and development, and concluded with a session of bee trivia. “**The Bee Society** was created to bring bees to campus so students who are interested in bees or beekeeping have a chance that they otherwise would never get to try it out,” Martin said. “Our goals are to maintain that opportunity and pass it down to the next group of students.”
The **Bee Society** maintains student-run beehives on campus, the first of which was installed in **April 2024** with the help of the **Northeastern University Arboretum**. The hives are located by the **Richardson Plaza clock tower** overlooking **Willis Hall**. Hive inspections take place on weekends during the warmer months. Key Benefits of Joining the Bee Society
* Learn about honeybee anatomy and job distribution in the hive
* Understand the importance of pollinators and their role in the ecosystem
* Gain hands-on experience with beekeeping and hive maintenance
* Meet like-minded individuals who share an interest in bees and beekeeping
* Participate in workshops and events that promote pollinator advocacy
**Bee Society** members come from diverse backgrounds and have varying levels of experience with beekeeping. For example, **Yehsun Cho**, a second-year biology major, was initially hesitant to join the Bee Society but found it to be a great opportunity to learn about bees. “I am pretty excited for there to be better weather so I can participate too,” he said. **Bee Society** members also have the opportunity to participate in community service projects, such as relocating a honeybee hive discovered in a fallen willow tree branch at the **Boston Public Garden**. The students worked with the **Boston Parks and Recreation Department** to relocate the hive to its new home on **Richardson Plaza**. Best **Bees**, a **Boston-based** company, supplied equipment to assist in the hive rescue. **Bee Society** members also have the opportunity to learn about the history of beekeeping and its importance in the industry. For example, **Reverend Lorenzo Langstroth**, the “father of modern beekeeping,” lived in **Greenfield**. The **Bee Society** plans to take a field trip to **Greenfield** to learn more about the history of beekeeping. The **Bee Society** has many plans for the future, including hosting workshops to teach students how to make products such as lotion and chapstick from beeswax. **Jessi Wood**, the **Bee Society** Treasurer, hopes to host these workshops and share her passion for bees with others. The **Bee Society** is open to all students, regardless of their level of experience with beekeeping. **Jesse Mount**, a second-year biochemistry major, tried out beekeeping for the first time on campus and now serves as the club’s scheduling coordinator. “Initially, a while ago, I was afraid of bees,” Mount said. “… I guess it changed for me when I went to the hive meets.”
The **Bee Society** has also worked with other organizations on campus, such as the **Husky Environmental Action Team** and the **Wildlife Club**. The **Bee Society** has hosted events with the **Cheese Club**, including a cheese and honey tasting in **April**. The **Bee Society** has made a significant impact on the campus community, and its members have formed strong bonds with one another. As **Tarun Iyer**, a second-year chemical engineering and data science major, said, “I think it was world-changing.” Iyer learned a great deal about bees and was inspired to learn more.