Discover Presque Isle

The NWPA Beekeepers Association is Happy to Celebrate the 30th Year of Discover Presque Isle!

Discover Presque Isle's goal is to encourage the community to "discover" the park in new ways and to raise awareness of its rich offerings.

NWPBA is set up inside the Tom Ridge Environmental Center. Visit with our members who are happy to answer questions. Observation hives will be onsite. Challenge yourself and find the queen!

There will also be a coloring contest with a winner chosen from each day's finalist. Please check out their entries below!

Upcoming: EAS Buzzing around with Kids

NWPBA Member Cathy Vorisek to Host EAS Buzzing Around With Kids Workshop

This year, the Eastern Apiculture Society has asked Northwestern Pennsylvania Beekeepers Association's own Cathy Vorisek to lead their Buzzing Around With Kids Program. This event will be held on August 8 at the EAS Annual Conference in Ellicott City, MD. Children will have age appropriate stations that will explore honey bee anatomy, hive inspections, microscopes, and flowers. Children will also have the opportunity to work with honey production, including extraction, straining, and of course, tasting!

Outside of EAS, Cathy spends much of her time volunteering across Northwestern Pennsylvania teaching children about beekeeping at schools, Girl and Boy Scout programs, and 4H Groups. Additionally, Cathy is the Pennsylvania Honey Queen Program Chair.

We are very proud of Cathy being selected to lead the EAS Buzzing Around with Kids program!

Party for the Planet at the Erie Zoo

The event celebrated the Earth and all who inhabit it.

On May 18, Northwestern PA Beekeepers Association volunteers were at the Party for the Planet at the Erie Zoo. The event celebrated the Earth and all who inhabit it, honoring Earth Day, World Oceans Day, and Endangered Species Day.

The NWPBA was able to party along with Wildlife in Need, Purple Martin Conservation, Presque Isle Audubon, newBin, Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park (LEAF), and Penn State Master Gardeners. Our booth was set up in the Children’s Area, next to the penguin exhibit.

We were able to visit with over 1,200 patrons of the Zoo, showcasing our love of bees to many curious children and adults. We helped people to spot our very elusive queen, dubbed Scooter based upon her ability to scoot around and hide whenever we wanted to find her. People were also amazed to feel the heat coming out of the top vents of the observation hive!

This was a great event that everyone thoroughly enjoyed. We look forward to participating next year!

HONEY BEE BOOT CAMP

NWPBA and PA Veteran Farming Network hosted a Honey Bee Bootcamp with the US Army Corp of Engineers.

On May 18, Northwestern PA Beekeepers Association and PA Veteran Farming Network hosted a HONEY BEE BOOT CAMP for veterans/spouses at the NWPBA Educational Apiary at Woodcock Creek Lake (aka Woodcock Dam), in coordination with The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

It was well-attended, with all receiving a one-year student membership with NWPBA. Attendees enthusiastically said it was a great experience and were very appreciative of the mentors walking them through the colonies. Tasting royal jelly, watching virgins emerge from their cells, and hands-on experience on hive inspection with experienced beeks made this event one to remember!