Busy as a Bee
Release Date: Apr. 3, 2007
HIGHLAND PARK, Ill., April 3, 2007— Get an up close and personal look into Heller Nature Center’s honeybee hives. Heller is home to 22 bee colonies, which during the height of the season can add up to 1 million honeybees. A honeybee colony is made up of 3 types of honeybees, each with a specific job-1 queen, about 100 drones (males) and thousands of workers (female). Honeybees produce honey and wax. Last year, Heller’s honeybees produced 3,800 pounds of honey, which is sold at Sunset Foods stores, the Recreation Center of Highland Park, West Ridge Center and Heller Nature Center. The wax created by the bees can be used to make candles and other household items.
To learn more about Heller’s honeybees sign up for one of our classes. Busy as a Bee is for ages 8 & up. Dress in a beekeeper’s suit and head out to the hives to discover what makes a honeybee colony, learn about the tools used in beekeeping and how honeybees pollinate plants. This program is held Saturday, May 5 from 10:00-11:30 a.m. The fee is $6.
Another great program is Fun with Beekeeping for children in grades 7-12. Students will be involved in activities that will help Heller beekeepers prepare for the summer honey harvest. This program runs from April 27-May 25 on Fridays from 4:00-6:00 p.m. and is free. For more information about Heller Nature Center and the honeybees please call 847.433.6901 or visit www.hellernaturecenter.org.
About the Park District of Highland Park
The Park District of Highland Park, founded in 1909, operates and manages over 600 acres of land in 44 park areas, and offers approximately 2,800 recreation and seasonal programs. Facilities include an indoor ice arena, indoor tennis and racquetball complex, two recreation centers, a nature center, an 18-hole golf course, driving range, adventure golf, aquapark, beaches, boat launch ramp and yacht club on Lake Michigan.
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To learn more about Heller’s honeybees sign up for one of our classes. Busy as a Bee is for ages 8 & up. Dress in a beekeeper’s suit and head out to the hives to discover what makes a honeybee colony, learn about the tools used in beekeeping and how honeybees pollinate plants. This program is held Saturday, May 5 from 10:00-11:30 a.m. The fee is $6.
Another great program is Fun with Beekeeping for children in grades 7-12. Students will be involved in activities that will help Heller beekeepers prepare for the summer honey harvest. This program runs from April 27-May 25 on Fridays from 4:00-6:00 p.m. and is free. For more information about Heller Nature Center and the honeybees please call 847.433.6901 or visit www.hellernaturecenter.org.
About the Park District of Highland Park
The Park District of Highland Park, founded in 1909, operates and manages over 600 acres of land in 44 park areas, and offers approximately 2,800 recreation and seasonal programs. Facilities include an indoor ice arena, indoor tennis and racquetball complex, two recreation centers, a nature center, an 18-hole golf course, driving range, adventure golf, aquapark, beaches, boat launch ramp and yacht club on Lake Michigan.
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