The State Land Board will add several thousand workers to our team in June 2021. Worker bees, that is.
Many urban areas can be perfect sites for honeybee hives, especially if nearby yards or landscaped areas include flowering trees, shrubs, and plants. Small, sunny open areas -- including building rooftops or sides of buildings -- can support hives that allow honey bees to perform pollination services within a several mile radius.
Cue the State Land Board.
Our agency owns 600,000 square feet of commercial real estate and is launching a pilot beehive program at two commercial buildings in downtown Denver.
Our agency has had beehives installed at two buildings since 2021. Currently we are partnered with a local company called Free Range Beehives, a turnkey urban beekeeping service.
"I'm thrilled we can create a sustainable solution that uses our commercial buildings to help our environment through pollinating bees while also producing a deliciously sweet product," said Julie Majors, Commercial Real Estate Manager for the State Land Board.
Batches of honey are generally available in fall each year. The honey will be distributed to the building tenants.
Learn more about the State Land Board's pollinator path program and other ecosystem services.