{"id":75200,"date":"2025-07-22T08:09:31","date_gmt":"2025-07-22T15:09:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/?p=75200"},"modified":"2025-07-22T16:11:55","modified_gmt":"2025-07-22T23:11:55","slug":"buzzing-toward-a-greener-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/buzzing-toward-a-greener-future\/","title":{"rendered":"Buzzing toward a greener future"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In a world increasingly aware of its environmental footprint, beekeeping is about more than just making honey\u2014it\u2019s a powerful way to support biodiversity, strengthen local ecosystems and reconnect with nature.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Patrick Pynes<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, an assistant teaching professor with NAU\u2019s Department of Applied Indigenous Studies, has been a beekeeper since 1991. Every year, he hosts an Introductory Beekeeping Workshop to give those interested in fostering these fascinating buzzing creatures an up-close, hands-on, unforgettable experience.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"NAU&#039;s Introduction to Local Organic Beekeeping\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/YyXNoxUc7DM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The four-part workshop is a partnership with the Sustainable Communities Program at NAU and the Northern Arizona Organic Beekeepers Association. It focuses on local and sustainable beekeeping practices that emphasize the health of bees, reducing environmental impact and promoting long-term ecological relationships.\u00a0 <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cMy interest in beekeeping goes back to when I was like 5 years old and I was visiting my grandfather\u2019s hometown,\u201d Pynes said. \u201cMy parents took me downtown to the little jewelry shop and watch repair store that my great-grandparents owned in this little town called Atlanta, Texas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-75215\" src=\"http:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wordpresst\/uploads\/sites\/153\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG_4463-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Beekeeping students opening a beehive\" width=\"269\" height=\"358\" srcset=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2025\/07\/IMG_4463-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2025\/07\/IMG_4463-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2025\/07\/IMG_4463-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2025\/07\/IMG_4463-1536x2048.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 269px) 100vw, 269px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">My grandfather&#8217;s brother was a beekeeper and he had big jars of cut comb honey, along with the watches, clocks and jewelry in the front window. I just fell in love with the beauty of that honeycomb in the bottle of honey. In that moment, I became a beekeeper, but it took me 20 years before I did it on my own.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Pynes started his beekeeping journey by taking a class at the Rio Grande Nature Center in Albuquerque, where he learned how to catch a swarm. That is how he got his first hive.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cIt is one of the most fun things in beekeeping, finding a swarm,\u201d he said. &#8220;It hangs down like a beachball from a light pole and you just catch it. It is amazing because the swarm is so beautiful and powerful. They look like they could kill you, but in fact, they are very docile, very gentle. It is only when they are in a colony with a comb that they can be more defensive or if someone is threatening their environment.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">To bee or not to bee<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Bees are essential pollinators that contribute to food security and play a role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem and biodiversity, but they are struggling to survive due to changes in the environment. Beekeeping is not only an interesting hobby that can provide income through the sale of honey, beeswax and other hive products; it also offers a way to actively interact with bee populations and help mitigate their decline due to habitat loss and pesticide use.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><a href=\"http:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wordpresst\/uploads\/sites\/153\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Bees1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-75201\" src=\"http:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wordpresst\/uploads\/sites\/153\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Bees1-285x300.jpg\" alt=\"Bees outside a hive\" width=\"277\" height=\"292\" srcset=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2025\/07\/Bees1-285x300.jpg 285w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2025\/07\/Bees1-972x1024.jpg 972w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2025\/07\/Bees1-768x809.jpg 768w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2025\/07\/Bees1-1458x1536.jpg 1458w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2025\/07\/Bees1-1944x2048.jpg 1944w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 277px) 100vw, 277px\" \/><\/a>\u201cOne of the main challenges we are seeing right now is the lack of flowers due to drought conditions,\u201d Pynes said. \u201cThat is a big challenge for beekeepers, making sure that you keep the bees in a place with abundant floral resources.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The cold temperatures in the winter also have a profound effect on the well-being of the bees since they might prevent them from getting out of the hive to fly around and can contribute to unhealthy conditions inside the hive.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Beekeepers make adjustments to their hives as they assess weather conditions, flower resources, and even fire warnings in their area. They move hives when needed and can also choose to feed their bees as a last resort if the environment around them is not conducive to their survival.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cThe honey\u2019s color, texture and taste are influenced by the flower,\u201d Pynes said. \u201cFor example, in Flagstaff, bees collect primarily nectar from plants like the Rocky Mountain Bee plant. It has a distinct taste, like different wine grape varieties, but the taste can also be influenced by the soil and the environment around it.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><a href=\"http:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wordpresst\/uploads\/sites\/153\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Beeflower.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-75204\" src=\"http:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wordpresst\/uploads\/sites\/153\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Beeflower-266x300.jpg\" alt=\"A bee taking nectar from the Rocky Mountain Beeplant\" width=\"245\" height=\"276\" srcset=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2025\/07\/Beeflower-266x300.jpg 266w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2025\/07\/Beeflower-908x1024.jpg 908w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2025\/07\/Beeflower-768x866.jpg 768w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2025\/07\/Beeflower-1362x1536.jpg 1362w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2025\/07\/Beeflower-1816x2048.jpg 1816w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2025\/07\/Beeflower.jpg 2011w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 245px) 100vw, 245px\" \/><\/a>This is why some believe that eating local honey helps combat seasonal allergies since it contains the pollen and nectar of local flora that, taken in small doses, can help build immunity to certain allergens in the environment. Honey can also act as a medicine due to its anti-inflammatory capabilities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">An un-bee-table hobby<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Denbie Nash, who is originally from Texas, was one of the participants in the Pynes workshop. She always wanted to become a beekeeper and was able to do so when she got together with her partner three years ago. She enrolled because she appreciates Pynes\u2019 unique perspective on organic beekeeping, his understanding and his respect for the environment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cWe\u2019re just fortunate to have him,\u201d Nash said. \u201cThere are many beekeepers and great teachers and I want to learn as much as I can and I appreciate his approach.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Other participants were there to learn how to become beekeepers and help the environment, and according to Pynes, attending a workshop such as this one is just the first step.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wordpresst\/uploads\/sites\/153\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Beekeeping-students.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-75208 \" src=\"http:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wordpresst\/uploads\/sites\/153\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Beekeeping-students-300x271.jpg\" alt=\"People wearing beekeeping suits around a bee hive.\" width=\"402\" height=\"363\" srcset=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2025\/07\/Beekeeping-students-300x271.jpg 300w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2025\/07\/Beekeeping-students-1024x925.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2025\/07\/Beekeeping-students-768x694.jpg 768w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2025\/07\/Beekeeping-students-1536x1387.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2025\/07\/Beekeeping-students-2048x1850.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 402px) 100vw, 402px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cYou have to educate yourself,\u201d he said. \u201cTake a class, do research, read books, look at websites, talk to other beekeepers and find a mentor. All beekeepers struggle in the beginning and they sort of figure it out as they get more involved. I encourage people to become lifelong beekeepers because bees are so important to the health and well-being of people and the environment itself.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For those who are not interested in fostering these buzzing pollinators but want to help them thrive, Pynes said there are ways they can do just that, like planting flowers, avoiding the use of harmful pesticides and insisting that their towns have policies that are good for the health and well-being of flower plants, honeybees and other pollinators.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For more information about the workshop, visit <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/honeybeeteacher.com\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">https:\/\/honeybeeteacher.com\/<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wordpresst\/uploads\/sites\/153\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/NAU_primary-281_3514.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-56007\" src=\"http:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wordpresst\/uploads\/sites\/153\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/NAU_primary-281_3514-300x213.png\" alt=\"Northern Arizona University Logo\" width=\"96\" height=\"68\" srcset=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2019\/06\/NAU_primary-281_3514-300x213.png 300w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2019\/06\/NAU_primary-281_3514-768x546.png 768w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2019\/06\/NAU_primary-281_3514-600x426.png 600w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2019\/06\/NAU_primary-281_3514.png 905w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 96px) 100vw, 96px\" \/><\/a>Mariana Laas | NAU Communications<br \/>\n(928) 523-5050 | <a href=\"mailto:mariana.laas@nau.edu\">mariana.laas@nau.edu<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><a class=\"search-results-excerpt-link\" href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/buzzing-toward-a-greener-future\/\">In a world increasingly aware of its environmental footprint, beekeeping is about more than just making honey\u2014it\u2019s a powerful way to support biodiversity, strengthen local ecosystems and reconnect with nature.\u00a0\u00a0 Patrick Pynes, an assistant teaching professor with NAU\u2019s Department of Applied Indigenous Studies, has been a beekeeper since 1991. Every year, he hosts an Introductory&hellip;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":100,"featured_media":75240,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-75200","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-research-academics"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75200","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/100"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=75200"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75200\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/75240"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=75200"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=75200"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=75200"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}