VOLUNTEER WORKSHOP 2020 @BEESINTHED
THANK YOU! We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the tremendous interest we have received from people like you, wanting to support our small organization through volunteering your expertise & time. Our organization is 100% volunteer run, so we cannot continue to grow without you. Working together, we can make Detroit the best it can BEE! Inside this packet you will find the types of volunteers we are looking for, information about the Bees in the DÂŽ organization, & facts on bees. This info. will come in handy for volunteers working events to answer questions that are frequently asked. @BEESINTHED
WHO WE ARE OUR MISSION Bees in the DÂŽ is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to create a cooperative effort between residents, schools, organizations, & businesses in the city of Detroit & Southeast Michigan to contribute to both the health of honey bee colonies & the education of their importance to our environment. Since starting in 2016, we have introduced 9 million bees & manage over 160 hives at over 50 locations, across 5 counties, & in 2 countries. @BEESINTHED
No.
Yes. Fabulous!
@beesinthedvolunteer
by 29 February If you have facebook, join our volunteer group page:
beesinthed.com/volunteer
Please review the "Worker Bee" pages in this packet & fill out your contact information on our website at:
No.
Do you have a talent or experience in an area that you think will help us? Please let us know by contacting us at: volunteer@beesinthed.com We also included more specialized services on the next page that we are seeking help with.
Yes.
Do you have teaching experiences & would like to give presentations to classrooms & local organizations?
No.
You're a Worker Bee! Are you interested in helping at events, harvesting honey, labeling, etc.?
Yes.
Please become a "Worker Bee" volunteer first & plan to attend the "Becoming a Volunteer Beekeeper" workshop. After learning, you will be paired with a mentor & become a beekeeper apprentice.
No.
Are you an experienced beekeeper?
You're a Keeper! We need help managing our hives at over 52 locations. Please check out the hive map & let us know which zone(s) you would be able to help at on the beekeeper form. If you are interested in sharing hive responsibilities with someone else, let us know.
Yes.
Are you interested in beekeeping for Bees in the D?
Where is my help needed?
WORKER BEE: AT EVENTS
RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE: Managing a table at an event (either for the whole event or a block of time) Set-up (see next page for example) Tear down We do not expect you to be an expert on our organization or Bees in the D, but would like you to have some basic knowledge to answer questions that are frequently asked by visitors Knowledge on Bees in the D® (included in packet) General bee knowledge (included in packet) Selling Bees in the D® merchandise Cash & credit card transactions through Square Track inventory on what sold Comfortable around several hundred honey bees Sometimes have live honey bees in an enclosed educational viewing hive at table @BEESINTHED
TABLE SET-UP Everything you will need for an event will be provided in tubs. Please use this as an example as how to arrange the table (set-up picture, checklist, & emergency contact list will also be included in one of the tubs). At the end of an event, please fold the tablecloths & shirts neatly, to avoid as many wrinkles as possible. Please also be mindful when packing up to ensure signage & props won't be damaged. Note: table set-up does not have to be exactly like these photos.
*OUTDOOR EVENTS INCLUDE 10' X 10' TENT
WORKER BEE:
OTHER AREAS OF HELP RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE: Honey harvests Harvesting, jarring, & labeling Usually start in late-September Labeling lip balms Entering data Examples include: hive info. into HiveTracks from beekeepers; updating inventory Driver Rarely - occasionally needed Driving for picking up/delivering supplies to events or hive locations
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VOLUNTEER BEEKEEPER RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE: Routine hive maintenance at assigned hive(s) Either independently or split time through coordinating with a partner or small group Able to commit to visiting your assigned hive(s) every 1-2 weeks during season If you are unable to fulfill this commitment please let us know, we will not be upset Perform Varroa mite treatments Training available, if needed Record & relay information about your hive(s) to Bees in the DÂŽ within the same week you visited your hive(s) A form will be available through Google Docs for you to easily submit your information Potential to help with group hive tours, for those that are interested
@BEESINTHED
SPECIALIZED HELP NEEDED Do you, or someone you know, have experience in the areas below & would like to help us in any way? Professional photographer For headshots, hi-res photos of beekeepers working in a hive to use for media, etc. Fundraisers Finances Balancing books, budget tracking, etc. Legal Drafting contracts, general questions, etc. Construction Fixing supplies, help with our future Education Center, etc.
Please contact us at: bees@beesinthed.com
@BEESINTHED
ALL ABOUT Bees in the D is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Founded in 2016 by Brian Peterson-Roest & Brian RoestPeterson Currently ran 100% by volunteers 10 members on the Board of Directors 1 veterinarian partner Primary mission = education & conservation of honey bees & other pollinators Creating the "Bee Highway" 6 hives in 2016; 29 in 2017; 122 in 2018 160 hives in 2019 at 52 locations, 5 counties across SE MI, & 1 hive in Windsor, Canada Currently, we are not looking to place hives at residential locations Partner with local restaurants, breweries, distilleries, hotels, & businesses to promote sustainability & use the honey in their kitchens for food & drinks Our honey is sold at our events & at Leon & Lulu's in Clawson, The Blu Kitchen in Plymouth, & in Detroit at Detroit City Distillery & Foundation Hotel Leave at least 100 lbs of honey per hive for the girls to eat during the winter T-shirts, lip balms, & other merchandise sold at events & on our website (beesinthed.com) Offer 'Becoming a Beekeeper' workshops, hive tours, & educational presentations for all ages & groups (honorarium requested) Check website for more information on dates for workshops, how to book a tour, & to see presentation topics Contact bees@beesinthed.com for booking Goal for 2020-21 = fundraising & building the first educational center dedicated to honey bees & other pollinators Fundraising goal = $250,000 Donations can be made through our website or by sending a check to our address (200 River Place Dr., Detroit, MI 48207) If you find a swarm, please send an email with pictures to bees@beesinthed.com @BEESINTHED
NEXT GOAL:
EDUCATION COMMUNITY CENTER Our mission has always been to create a cooperative effort between residents, schools, organizations, & businesses in the city of Detroit & SE Michigan to contribute to both the health of honey bee colonies and the education of their importance to our environment. In order to spread this mission further we plan to build Detroit's first educational community center dedicated primarily to the conservation of honey bees & other pollinators, out of two 40' upcycled shipping containers in 2020. Along with hosting educational workshops & provide a meeting space to the community, this Center will also serve as our organization's new 'hive' headquarters. It will also be a home to around 100,000 honey bees that will have a "penthouse" space atop the center! These bees will also give back by increasing yields of the numerous nearby residential and community gardens as they forage in a 3-mile radius from their hive. Tours of the hives will also give community members, including students from schools across the state, a chance to ease misconceptions & apprehensions of community hives, & provide the opportunity to learn how pollination works in providing the food that reaches their dinner plates.
We would like to give a tremendous "thank you" to Studio Detroit for creating the renderings of our Education Community Center. They also created a fun & interactive virtual reality of the center that many have had the opportunity to experience at our past events!
@BEESINTHED
GENERAL BEE KNOWLEDGE
There are over 20,000 native bee species 4,000 species found in North America Honey bees are actually non-native & originate from Europe All are insects 6 legs, 3 body segments (i.e., head, thorax, & abdomen) Honey bee vs. yellow jacket Honey bees have a thin body shape covered w/little hairs; Legs usually hidden when flying; Feed on pollen & nectar; Unlikely to sting & can only sting once Yellow jackets have distinctive yellow & black striped pattern, appear shiny; AKA “ground bees”; Nests can contain 1000-2000 adults; Attack rapidly & aggressively, & can sting repeatedly Honey bees are eusocial insects & live in groups called “colonies” Most other bees are solitary Average of 60,000 honey bees/colony All members of a colony undergo complete metamorphosis that takes a total of 21 days (i.e., egg⇾larva⇾pupa⇾adult) Within each colony are 3 “castes” (i.e., queen, male drones, female workers) Members of each caste have a slightly different body depending on the tasks they perform Queen honey bee Only 1 per colony Develop when larva is fed royal jelly Stores millions of sperm from 15-20 drones in her body Lays up to 2,500 eggs/day! Usually live only 2-3 years on average, but can live up to 5 years Drone honey bees Make up 5% of the colony; all are males Develop from unfertilized eggs Only job is to fertilize a new queen from a different hive Drones mate outdoors, usually in midair, & die soon after mating Some colonies will eject surviving drones during fall when food becomes limited Worker honey bees Make up 95% of the colony; all females Average lifespan = 6 weeks 1 Worker bee will only produce 1/12 Tsp. of honey in her whole life Guided by a biological clock, performs different job duties as she reaches certain ages @BEESINTHED
GENERAL BEE KNOWLEDGE CONT.
Honey bees can travel up to a 3-mile radius from their hive A bee's buzz comes from them beating their wings 11,400 times per minute They can travel as fast as 15 mph Over 70% of the world's crops are pollinated by bees 16 oz. of honey requires 1,152 bees to travel 112,000 miles & visit 4.5 million flowers Worker bees collect nectar from plants & take back to hive; an enzyme in their honey stomach breaks the sucrose to simple sugars (glucose & fructose); bee will regurgitate & pass nectar from one another & their stomach walls will absorb the excess H2O until it is 17.8% H2O content Single hive creates 30-100 lbs of honey Honey is the only food group that does not expire Oldest honey found in Egyptian pyramids/tombs from 3,000 years ago! Raw honey will crystallize - it is still good to eat! Boil a pot of water, turn off burner, & place jar in water to melt crystals Honey bees are the only creatures to make their own home construction materials Ingest honey to make wax; in 24 hours, their bodies convert honey to wax and secrete it out of 8 specialized glands on their abdomen They then chew the wax to soften it & then mold it into the perfect honeycomb structure Takes 2 lbs of honey = 1 lb of beeswax Pottery with beeswax has been found dating back 9,000 years! Propolis (aka "bee glue") is a resinous mixture bees produce by mixing their saliva & beeswax with excretions gathered from tree buds, sap flows, or other plant sources Used as a sealant for small (~6 mm/0.24 in or less); larger spaces are usually filled with beeswax Global bee populations are declining due to industrial agriculture, pesticides, parasites/pathogens, & climate change
LINKS FOR MORE BEE KNOWLEDGE: https://beesinthed.com/ https://ppp.purdue.edu/resources/ppp-publications/the-complex-life-of-the-honey-bee/ https://thehoneybeeconservancy.org/education/#section-1 https://www.beelab.umn.edu/bee-squad/resources-beekeepers/varroa https://thehoneybeeconservancy.org/why-bees/
@BEESINTHED
Poster created by:
@BEESINTHED
FEED THE BEES
Honey bees will forage on hundreds of different flowering plants within a 3 mile radius from their hive. They especially love purple, blue, white, yellow, mauve, & violet colored flowers.
GARDENING FOR POLLINATORS
The best gardens for bees (& other pollinators) have flowering plants throughout the growing season. Here are some favorite perennial & annual flowering plants of Bla bees & other ckeye pollinators. dS
PERRENIALS Aster
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Bee balm Bellflower Betony Bel lflo we r
Black-eyed Susan Bla zin g
Blanket flower
tis ma e l C
Blazing star
sta
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Butterfly bush
p sso Hy
Clematis
Lemon balm
Coral bells
Lupine
Cornflower
Pentas
Foxglove
Peony
ine
p Lu
Globe thistle
Pincushion flower
Hyssop
Purple coneflower
Lavender
Red poppy
r we flo e on
Russian sage
ec rpl
Pu
Salvia Sea holly Sedum Sun flow er
Sea
lly ho
Sunflower Swamp milkweed Yarrow
Poster created by:
@BEESINTHED
* Orange names denote MI natives
FEED THE BEES GARDENING FOR POLLINATORS
ANNUALS
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Ageratum Aster Blue salvia Borage la
Calendula
C
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Bor age
os sm Co
Pentas
Cornflower
Pineapple sage
Cosmos pe tro elio
Dahlia
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Popcorn plant
Heliotrope
Sage
Lantana
Snapdragon
Mignonette
Spider flower
n cor op
n pla
t
P
Sunflower Sweet William Sweet alyssum Tit ho nia
r we flo r e
id Sp
Tithonia Vervain Zinnia ia
n Zin Poster created by:
@BEESINTHED
* Orange names denote MI natives
WHO BRINGS THE
STING?
HONEY BEE Thin body shape with little hairs Legs usually hidden when flying Live in large colonies in hives managed by beekeepers, or in hollow spaces Feed on pollen & nectar
THREAT LEVEL: LOW Unlikely to sting (even swarms are docile) & can only sting once
BUMBLE BEE THREAT LEVEL: LOW Will defend nest, but not as aggressive as yellow jackets, wasps, or hornets
Big, round, & fuzzy Legs hang down when flying Live in small colonies usually in the ground & will die out during winter months Feed on pollen and nectar
YELLOW JACKET Distinctive yellow & black striped pattern; appear shiny Often refer to as "ground bees" Nests can contain 1000-2000 adults
THREAT LEVEL: HIGH Attacks rapidly & aggressively, & can sting repeatedly
BALD-FACED HORNET THREAT LEVEL: HIGH Very aggressive
Black & white coloring; appear shiny Feed on other insects (e.g., aphids & caterpillars) Create nests by collecting and chewing naturally occurring fibers Nests average 300 - 500 individuals
PAPER WASP Long, skinny wasps Long legs that hang down while in flight Feed on other insects (e.g., aphids & caterpillars) Build upside down umbrella nests anywhere that offers protection from the elements
POSTER CREATED BY:
THREAT LEVEL: MEDIUM Prone to sting when someone is near nest
313.462.9624 | BEES@BEESINTHED.COM WWW.BEESINTHED.COM
WHO BUILT THAT
NEST?
HONEY BEE
NEST IN TREE CAVITY
IF YOU FIND A SWARM CONTACT US! BEES@BEESINTHED.COM
Honey bees use caves, rock cavities & hollow trees as natural nesting sites; in warmer climates they may occasionally build exposed hanging nests If you see a mass of bees, but no beeswax structure, then they might be in a swarm, which means they are currently looking for a new nest site Photo credit: wikipedia.com
Photo credit: beebuilt.com
BUMBLE BEE Nest sites vary between bumblebee species Most of the more common species prefer dry, dark cavities, though some nest underground Male bees will often fly around nests, waiting for queens to come out so that they can mate; they cannot sting, so no need to worry Photo credit: bugguide.net
Photo credit: reddit u/archerydwd
YELLOW JACKET Vespula species build concealed nests, usually underground, while the Dolichovespula species tend to create exposed aerial nests A nest can typically reach the size of a basketball by the end of a season Usually last only 1 season, but those many seasons become massive & can have multiple egg-laying queens
Photo credit: leesonphoto.photoshelter.com
Photo credit: aces.edu
BALD-FACED HORNET Usually found 2'-60' in trees, but sometimes under eaves of a building Egg-shaped nest w/layered hexagonal combs covered by gray paper; up to 14" in diameter & 23" in length Colonies can contain up to 700 workers, the largest recorded colony size in its genus, Dolichovespula Photo credit: terro.com
Photo credit: wikipedia.com
PAPER WASP Most nests characterized by having open combs with cells for brood rearing, & a 'petiole', or stalk, that anchors the nest Found in sheltered areas, such as the eaves of a house, the branches of a tree, or in birdhouses Paper wasps secrete a chemical that repels ants, which they spread around the base of the petiole to prevent the loss of eggs POSTER CREATED BY:
Photo credit: wikimedia.com
313.462.9624 | BEES@BEESINTHED.COM WWW.BEESINTHED.COM
Please note that Bees in the D will not do any wasp or hornet removals, or cut-outs for honey bee colony removal. If you are in need of those types of removal, contact 'Bee Outstanding' @ 855.268.7500
200 RIVER PLACE DRIVE, SUITE 35, DETROIT, MI, 48207
(313) 462-9624 | BEES@BEESINTHED.COM @BEESINTHED Photo taken at our partner, Blake Farms in Armada, MI
VOLUNTEER BEEKEEPING QUESTIONNAIRE If you are at all interested in becoming a beekeeper, please fill out & turn in before you leave today.
Name ______________________________________________________________ Cell Phone #: (______) _________- ____________ Address (used for figuring out beekeeping zones and training): Street: _______________________________________________________________________ City: ____________________________________________ Zip Code: ________________ 1. How many years have you been keeping bees? _____ 2. What beekeeping training have you had? Classes? Experiences? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 3. What style of hives do you have experience using? Langstroth? _____ Flow hive? _____ Top Bar? _____ 4. Do you have experience capturing/hiving swarms? Y N 5. What counties, communities, or BITD zones are you interested in working in? ________________________________________________________________________________ 6. How many hours per month during the season (May - September) can you volunteer knowing hives have to be visited every 1-2 weeks? ________ 7. Do you have your own personal beekeeping equipment (e.g., veil, bee suit, gloves, smoker, hive tool, etc.)? Y N If no, what equipment would you need? ____________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ 8. Would you be interested in additional training to be a lead beekeeper for a site? Y N 9. Would you be interested in leading/helping with hive tours to groups? Y N 10. To your knowledge, are you allergic to bee stings? Y N Are you interested in attending one of the hands-on beekeeping trainings where you will learn basic beekeeping & suit up to explore & inspect an active hive? Y N If yes, please check which one(s) you would be able to attend: Saturday, May 23rd 11-1 PM @ The Outdoor Adventure Center _________ Sunday, May 31st 11-1 PM @ The Outdoor Adventure Center _________ Monday, June 8th 4:30-6:30 @ Oakland University _________ Monday, June 15th 11-1 PM @ The Outdoor Adventure Center _________
200 RIVER PLACE DRIVE #35, DETROIT, MI 48207
PARTICIPANT RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY I _____________________________ (print name) desire to participate in the academic, social, cultural, logistical and/or recreational programming activities of the beekeeper experience (the “Activities”) provided by Bees in the D, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Detroit, Michigan (the “Organization”). I agree to all terms and conditions set forth in this Release and Waiver of Liability (this “Release”). Assumption of Risk I understand that the Activities may be inherently dangerous and may expose me to a variety of foreseen and unforeseen hazards and risks including, but not limited to: (1) bee stings, which may produce soreness, an allergic reaction, and even death; (2) burns associated with lighting and operating a bee smoker; and/or (3) injuries resulting from traversing uneven ground at a hive site. I acknowledge that I am voluntarily participating in the Activities with knowledge of the risks involved and agree to assume any and all risks of injury whether caused by the negligence of Bees in the D or otherwise. Release and Waiver I fully and forever release and discharge the Organization from, and expressly waive, any and all liability, claims, and demands of whatever kind that may arise from my participation in the Activities. I agree not to bring any such claim or demand against the Organization, and I fully and forever release and discharge the Organization from liability under such claims or demands. Indemnification I agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Organization from any and all liability, losses, damages, judgments, liabilities, or expenses, including attorneys’ fees, that it may incur or sustain as a result of my participation in the Activities, arising out of any third-party claim. Photographic Release I understand and agree that during the Activities, I may be photographed and/or videotaped by the Organization for internal and/or promotional use. I grant and convey to the Organization all right, title, and interest, including but not limited to, any royalties, proceeds, or other benefits, in all such photographs or recordings, and I consent to the Organization’s use of my name, image, likeness, and voice in any medium, for any publicity, without further compensation or permission. BY SIGNING, I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD ALL OF THE TERMS OF THIS RELEASE AND THAT I AM VOLUNTARILY GIVING UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE THE ORGANIZATION. *To be signed by parent/legal guardian if the participant is under 18 years of age. _______________________________________
______________________________________
Printed Name of Participant
Signature of Participant
________________________________________
______________________________________
*Printed Name of Parent/Guardian
*Signature Parent/Guardian
I, the participant, affirm that I am not allergic to bee stings.
Initials: ___________
Date: _____________