Pollinators around the world are in a state of decline due to loss of habitat, pesticide use,
climate change, parasites, and diseases. Among these vulnerable pollinators are honey bees. Though not
native to the United States, honey bees have become crucial to pollinating many of our crops: 80% of all
flowering plants and over 130 food crops are pollinated by honey bees. And, of course, they produce
honey!

In an effort to support the honey bee population and provide educational opportunities to the
community, Riverview Road Apiary and Chillicothe Public Library are working together to install a honey
bee hive on the library property. The City of Chillicothe was also instrumental in this process, adopting a
special resolution allowing the library to move forward with this project.

The bees will arrive in mid-April, and their new home will be in the patio garden. You’re invited to come
by and watch our key food pollinators work this summer! The library will also be hosting a number of
informational programs about honey bees. Luke Harvey will present an introduction to the library bees
on May 24 at 6:30 pm and discuss honey bees further on June 28 at 1 pm. At the library’s Family
Storytime on June 27 at 6 pm, he will talk about life as a beekeeper and read a story.