Learn How to Keep Bees in Your Backyard

Join in the beekeeping craze. The Heller Nature Center, in Highland Park, is offering beekeeping workshops for all skill levels. Honeybees pollinate about one-third of all of the food that we eat, as well as keep all of our flowering plants healthy and productive. Backyard beekeepers are learning how fun and rewarding it can be to raise a hive or two.

The Beginning Beekeeping workshop is perfect for beekeepers just starting out. Students will learn what is needed to get started, how to put it all together and what a year in the life of a beekeeper is like. The Advanced Beekeeping workshop is for those that have been keeping bees for a while and are ready for some new information. Topics include pest and disease control methods, queen rearing and other in-depth information.

A beginner’s class will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., January 12. An advanced class will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., January 13. Both workshops are led by professional beekeeper Philip Raines.

Cost is $50, and lunch is provided. Register online at Registration.pdhp.org at least two days before each class. Location: 2821 Ridge Rd. For more information, call 847-433-6901.