November Double Feature: Celebrate and Learn with Our Bee Community!

We’re excited to bring you a special “double feature” this November, blending in-person camaraderie with virtual exploration of bee history. Whether you’re joining us face-to-face or from afar, these events are perfect for bee enthusiasts, hobbyists, and anyone passionate about pollination and our buzzing friends.

In-Person General Meeting: Friday, November 7th, 2025, at 6:00 PM

Mark your calendars for our November general meeting, shifting to Friday, November 7th at 6:00 PM due to availability at the County Agriculture Center. This gathering is all about celebration and community—come share stories about your hives, swap tips on overwintering bees, and enjoy festive treats (honey-infused delights encouraged!).

If you entered samples in our recent Honey Tasting Festival fundraiser, those marked for return will be available for pickup. We’ll also take time to recognize and thank the dedicated volunteers who made the event a sweet success. Plus, this is your opportunity to provide valuable feedback on how we can improve future fundraisers—your ideas could shape our next big buzz!

Remember, we won’t be holding a meeting in December, so don’t miss this chance to connect before the holidays. Dress comfortably, bring a snack to share, and let’s make it a hive of activity!

Event Details:

When: Friday, November 7th, 2025, at 6:00 PM (Pacific Time)
Where: County Agriculture Center at 5630 S Broadway St, Eureka, CA 95503
Duration: Approximately 1-2 hours, informal and social.

Virtual (Zoom) Presentation: Thursday, November 13th, 2025, at 6:00 PM

Bee-Hunters and Bee-Trees: A History in North America

Join us via Zoom for an engaging one-hour presentation by bee expert Brian Dykstra on the captivating world of bee hunting (also known as bee-lining), bee-trees, and their storied role in North American history. This streamlined session will kick off with a quick welcome before diving straight into the content—no extended business discussions, just pure bee fascination!

Honey bees (Apis mellifera) naturally nest in trees, making “bee-trees” prime targets for hunters seeking wild honey. Introduced to North America in 1622 by European settlers on the East Coast, these industrious insects didn’t reach California until 1853, when Christopher A. Shelton transported 12 hives from Panama to San Jose, marking the start of a new era in Western beekeeping. This arrival opened up opportunities for bee hunters to “pillage” wild colonies, using techniques like bee-lining—tracking foraging bees back to their hives with bait, compasses, and keen observation.

Discover the colorful characters of bee-hunting lore, from fictional tales in American literature to real-life notorieties. Explore methods for locating bee-trees, extracting honey (often destructively in early days), and even claiming ownership through marks or legal disputes. Brian will highlight bee hunting’s influence on art, fiction, and culture, including its portrayal in 19th-century Michigan where settlers and Native Americans harvested honey and beeswax from wild hives. We’ll also touch on modern bee hunting practices, why they persist today, and global contexts for this ancient pursuit—with a special focus on California’s unique bee history.

This talk offers a fresh lens on bees and human ingenuity, blending ecology, history, and ethnobiology. Whether you’re a seasoned apiarist or new to the hive, you’ll leave with buzzing insights!

Brian Dykstra is an independent researcher on all things bee. He teaches occasionally for CalPoly Humboldt OLLI.

Event Details:

When: Thursday, November 13th, 2025, at 6:00 PM (Pacific Time)
Where: Comfortably from home via Zoom
Duration: 1 hour

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Feel free to email us if you have any questions

We can’t wait to see you—let’s make November un-bee-lievable! 🐝