Contributed by Cathy Carter
As part of the collaboration between WUSF Public Media and The Zest Podcast, we’ve been reporting on honey bees. In this story, we learn how museums around the world are making a difference in urban beekeeping.
Cathy Carter, a WUSF 89.7 News reporter, visited the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts where they are all abuzz about their recently-installed beehives. Matt Davis, the MFA beekeeper, is responsible for the health and care of the Museum’s 20,000-30,000 bees.
MFA Executive Director Kristen Shepherd previously worked at the other museums where they too had urban beehives and she knew she wanted to bring that diversity and community responsibility to St. Pete. Not only will the bees be a source of honey, they’re also a part of the community. The museum has added programs showcasing the bees, including a book club reading, art exhibits, even a culinary experience. Creating these well-rounded enrichment programs for the community helps to relate the urban dwellers to nature, and it reminds us all of our role in “bee-ing” advocates for the honey bees.
“It’s important that we engage with what is eternal, what is timeless, what is important to the bigger picture,”
– Kristen Shepherd, MFA Executive Director