Author: Tavia Bryan ’27
Why We Need Bees
The decline in bee populations due to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) is a huge environmental concern that many don’t know about. Bee pollination is a critical component of our ecosystem, responsible for the successful reproduction of many of the world’s crops and wild plants. However, due to CCD, a phenomenon where worker bees abruptly abandon their hives leading to the collapse of the entire colony, global food security and biodiversity is jeopardized. Bees are one of the most effective pollinators and contribute to the production of approximately one-third of the food we consume. Without them, we would face severe declines in the availability of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, which are vital for both human nutrition and agricultural economies. Fortunately, one Princeton group is playing a part in ensuring bees continue to thrive.
The Princeton Bee Team is a student-led organization dedicated to raising awareness and educating others about beekeeping. They currently manage an active bee hive at Forbes Garden. We had the pleasure of speaking to the current and emeritus presidents, Ella Cervi ’26 and Peter Brown ’24.
Vision and Goals of Princeton Bee Team
The organization’s vision includes revitalizing what was once a much larger and more active group and expanding the number of bee hives. Brown emphasizes the group’s commitment to spreading awareness and education about beekeeping through various educational initiatives, including a recent event that featured Brazilian beekeepers and explored alternative beekeeping methods.
The Princeton Bee Team operates with a structured yet collaborative approach. It’s supported by your typical key student roles, such as president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and communications office. But, as Cervi highlights, the group also benefits from the expertise of a resident beekeeper, David Wagenblast, who serves as head garden manager and maintains a personal bee colony in his backyard. Brown notes that while the resident beekeeper is relatively new to this role, he brings valuable experience to the team. This structure enables effective management and coordination of activities, combining practical beekeeping expertise with essential administrative functions to support the group’s goal.
Cervi’s journey into beekeeping began during the pandemic when she encountered dead bees, which left her saddened and concerned for their well-being. This experience prompted her to research beekeeping, take a virtual class, and eventually join a New Jersey beekeeping group, where she helped with honey harvesting. Her passion for beekeeping is so profound that she even wrote her Common App essay on the subject! Brown’s interest in beekeeping grew from his lifelong love of plants and nature, further nurtured by his uncle, who has been a beekeeper for many years. Under his uncle’s guidance, Brown gained hands-on experience and deepened his involvement in beekeeping, perfectly complementing his outdoorsy lifestyle.
The Princeton Bee Team has achieved several notable milestones, reflecting their commitment to beekeeping and community engagement. Recently, they hosted a successful honey harvest event, featuring hoodie merchandise and giving participants the chance to take home jars of freshly collected honey. They further showcased their honey in a collaboration with the Coffee Club, featuring it in spring drinks. The team has also organized a range of engaging activities, including documentary screenings, cooking and decorating sessions, and muffin baking events. At the campus Earth Day festival, the Princeton Bee Team set up an informative activity stand, providing information about pollinators and offering honey sticks to engage the wider community. The team is especially excited about the arrival of their new hive, which will house a new bee species.
The Beekeeping Process
The Princeton Bee Team’s beekeeping process is seasonally driven, with most activity occurring from late spring to early fall. Brown explains that the process begins by acquiring a box of 10,000 bees and placing the queen in a queen cage before introducing her to the hive. After a few days of adjustment, the bees begin producing honey, which can be harvested in late summer or early fall. Beekeepers collect honey only from the top two boxes, leaving the honey in the lower boxes for the bees to use. During colder periods, the hive remains dormant, but inspections at the start of the season are crucial. On average, a single hive can yield about 30 pounds, or 3 gallons, of honey per season!
The Princeton Bee Team’s activities closely align with environmental sustainability in several ways. Cervi emphasizes the importance of maintaining native bee populations, noting that with the decline of these populations, many bees in the environment now come from beekeepers. She stresses the need to form a symbiotic relationship with these bees to preserve ecological balance. Brown adds that natural pollination through beekeeping is a more sustainable alternative to artificial methods, contributing to healthier gardens and ecosystems. The involvement of their members in other sustainability groups further reinforces the team’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
Getting Involved
The Princeton Bee Team has distinguished itself as a vibrant, student-led organization committed to beekeeping and environmental education. Their vision includes revitalizing and expanding their beekeeping efforts, as highlighted by recent achievements such as a successful honey harvest, a collaboration with the Coffee Club and engaging activities like documentary screenings & baking events. Operating within a seasonal cycle, the team manages hives and harvests honey while focusing on ecological balance and sustainability. Committed to sustainability, the team emphasizes the importance of native bee populations and the benefits of natural pollination compared to artificial methods. Both Cervi and Brown bring both personal passion and hands-on experience to the team, and are excited for more students to engage by attending their events or joining the club to help with the expansion of their beehives. Princeton students interested in getting involved can subscribe to the team’s email list, join their GroupMe, and participate in upcoming events like the honey harvest!
Citations:
Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). EPA. https://www.epa.gov/pollinator-protection/colony-collapse-disorder
The importance of pollinators. USDA. (n.d.). https://www.usda.gov/peoples-garden/pollinators