Bees on school campuses -- good idea from an educational standpoint, but
iffy from an administrator and parental viewpoint.  People worry about
stings and allergic reactions.   The middle schools in my area get nervous
if we bring an observation hive in the door.

Bees can be kept successfully and safely in such a setting, but its not a
task for a novice.  Lots of things can and will go wrong, and sick or dead
colonies don't leave a good impression.

Many Musuems of Natural History have learned that its relatively easy to
manage people and bees in close proximity - there's an observation hive on
the Smithsonian Mall in D.C.   But, keeping  the hive in good shape is
another matter.

I've kept hives going in my Univ offices for years -- so it can be
done.  And people sit at a picnic table just a few feet from the window
that the bees coming and go through.  It takes some work to keep it in good
shape, but we've generally run it year round.  Been down for the past year
-- too much travel.  But it will be up and back on line this spring.

Keeping the bees in my office started with an educational exercise for my
office neighbors -- the prof on the floor above my office is allergic to
bees -- so in the first stages, he was really nervous.  Now he shrugs, says
-- no problem.

Also, campus safety called our Dept of Ag in Helena, ask if bees could be
kept in such a setting.  They were told to contact the state expert -- who
happened to yours truly.

We're now a popular stop for school kids, adults, etc.  But it took some
real work to gain acceptance.

Jerry

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