By: Monica Tabrizi
Thanks to a volunteer organization and LA county guidelines, beekeeping in Long Beach is an enthusiastic activity. Bees are an essential link in our ecosystem, as they allow seeds to grow through pollination activity. Bee pollen is also used in various products, such as pharmaceuticals and food supplies. Agricultural bees are recovering from a 10-year mass die-off, which was reported in the media around 2017. Because of this, various organizations increased their efforts to educate the public on bees and their positive impact on our environment. Long Beach is home to the first Honeybee Sanctuary located in Willow Springs Park. This sanctuary rescues hives and provides temporary shelter until bees can be adopted by a qualified beekeeper.
Did you know that beekeeping is permissible on residential properties with the proper permits through LA County and the City of Long Beach? Registrants must follow all county and city guidelines. According to the city site on beekeeping, here are a few things to remember:
No more than 4 hives can be maintained per residential property
Beehives must not be in the front yard or close to property lines
Beekeepers in Long Beach must maintain the required permits through the city and county
The Long Beach Beekeepers, a local non-profit association, maintains a website that is a great source of information on this topic. The organization's mission is “Dedicated to educating the public on the honeybee’s vital role in our environment and to encourage safe, sustainable and responsible beekeeping practices.”
The group offers educational classes on the importance of bees to our ecosystem and conducts events for the community. Volunteers and bees have visited many schools. One of the fee-based classes they offer is Bee Prepared, which can turn those with a growing interest in bees into backyard keepers. Members get access to discounts on classes and private events for a nominal fee. Members can also participate in monthly meetings to share best practices. For more information, visit Longbeachbeekeepers.org.
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