DNR SPRAY MAPS

(We appreciate DNR sharing this information with our beekeepers and thanks again to Dan and Judy Harvey of Olympic Wilderness Apiary for passing it along to us.)

Dan and Judy are sharing another set of spray maps they have received from DNR. Two additional contracts are included (1777 & 1778).

Dan asked DNR how the spray is being applied and DNR answered that the areas will be BACKPACK APPLIED.

Contract 1777 is for May 13 to June 30. Contract 1778 is for May 20 to June 30.

The maps take a few minutes to use. In order to use the maps, first you must know your section number within the Township and Range of Clallam County. Then refer to the DNR map(s) provided in the linked folder below and find your location(s).

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Nubcp7sDK9vTSpvT7RfzEiwUvXD-c3JJ?usp=sharing

Please direct further questions to:

Matt Perry
Intensive Management Forester
Olympic Region
Washington Department of Natural Resources
360-640-5424

Celebration of Science & Technology 2019 GeekOut!

Saturday, May 11, 2019 ~ 10:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m.
Port Angeles City Pier and Feiro Marine Life Center

The Celebration of Science & Technology (a.k.a. GeekOut!) is hosted by Feiro Marine Life Center at the Port Angeles City Pier. Member organizations from across the north Olympic Peninsula volunteer their time and energy to support this annual science oriented event. NOPBA has again been invited to participate.

This is the first public event of the season for us. We will have our NOPBA booth set up on the City Pier that morning. There is always a lot of interest in honey bees and our members volunteer to help promote our public relations. Be sure and stop by to see us, or better yet, come give us a hand answering questions about bees and beekeeping. It really is a lot of fun.

This all day educational festival celebrates the role science plays in our daily lives. Its free, and features:

  • Booths providing information from Olympic Peninsula organizations and businesses.

  • Posters displaying scientific information and principles.

  • Presentations offering informative details from experts in fields of science or technology.

  • “Science on Display” honors the many real scientists who live and work on the Peninsula.

  • And more. . .

New addition to our NOPBA Library!

Storey’s Guide to Keeping Honey Bees

This trusted handbook is a must-have for novice and seasoned beekeepers alike. Now totally redesigned and featuring color photos and graphics, the second edition also includes up-to-date information on honey bee health. The go-to reference presents comprehensive yet accessible information on everything from planning hives and installing a colony to preventing disease and managing productive hives that will bear bountiful honey harvests year after year.

This book is part of the online Apprentice-Level Beekeeping Course curriculum at the the University of Montana Division of Biological Sciences as BIOB 191 Apprentice Level Beekeeping.

Dr. Malcolm T. Sanford is professor emeritus at the University of Florida. His work has appeared in numerous apicultural publications, including the journals, Bee Culture and American Bee Journal. For more than 20 years he has written an apiculture newsletter featuring beekeeping information from around the world. Sandford is also the developer of the Apis Information Resource Center: beekeep.info

The late Richard E. Bonney was a master beekeeper in Massachusetts and author of the classic books Hive Management and Beekeeping.

NOPBA Mentorship Program

Sometimes, it’s just nice to have someone to call. One of the benefits of NOPBA membership is our mentorship program. Our program is intended to provide those just starting in beekeeping a solid foundation and support.

Field experience with a mentor is an opportunity for active, hands on experience working with bees, hives, and beekeeping equipment. As a mentee, you choose the level of involvement. Optional activities are organized by the beekeeping season and availability of the participants. Mentoring matchups will be in place for the calendar year.

Copies of the program handout as well as the sign ups will be available at the April meeting or sign-up online.

Coffee Group

WHERE: Common Grounds Cafe, 525 E. 8th St., Port Angeles

WHEN: WHO: WHAT:

Saturday mornings, 8:30 am, Everyone welcome!

Discuss Beekeeping Topics

On March 16th, Rex provided a short focused presentation on a portion of Derek Mitchell’s new work comparing the different physical properties of natural tree cavities with those of man-made beehives. It’s not news that tree cavity spaces are preferable environments for honey bees because they are the “natural” choice. But for perhaps the first time in the history of beekeeping, by utilizing measurement techniques and analysis from a background in mechanical engineering (computational fluid dynamics), Dr. Mitchell, himself a beekeeper in the U.K., has shown how the internal heat reservoirs of various cavity space configurations are physically influenced by top and bottom entrances in the presence or absence of hive insulation.

  • Tom Seeley was recently quoted in a podcast saying, “I wish we would have known about these findings years ago.” Mitchell’s research is now showing us the physics of “how” the properties of tree cavities are superior to our thin walled man-made boxes. Indeed, beginning now, this information will be influencing how many of us will be managing our bees this year. To find out more, come join us. Check out Derek Mitchell’s work below:: 

Ratios of colony mass
Thermal efficiency
Top Ventilation

Please note our collection of background material on the internal hive atmosphere is available on the Resources link.

We’re all learning and the whole idea of a bee club is to have some fun. Please join us every Saturday (until further notice), for informal discussions about anything of bee related interest.

As the season progresses, we will be following coffee with apiary visits.

Beginning Beekeeping Classes

March 10, 2019 - Beginning Beekeeping Classes begin.

Throughout the season, this series of ten one-hour beginning beekeeping classes are held starting at noon prior to our general business meetings which begin at 1:00PM. Optionally, for individuals wishing to pursue certification, successful completion of this class meets the requirements of Washington State Beekeepers Association Beginning Beekeeper Certification. Class material includes a workbook/manual for $20.00

2019 Classes Poster.jpg

February Meeting - Weather Alert

We had planned to have a very special guest speaker, Sue Cobey, on Sunday, Feb 10. However, due to inclement weather, Sue would like to visit us another time.

Mark Urnes, our Education Coordinator, would like to proceed with the beekeeping class at noon on Sunday. Barring any major change in weather. Similarly, it will be followed by a brief business meeting/open discussion for those in attendance.

I’ll post here if there is an update or change from this plan.

November Elections - 2019 Board

At our November 11, 2018 General meeting, we voted for the members of our executive committee for the upcoming 2019 season and approved a few updates to the association bylaws. Please join us in welcoming our new board members:

  • President:  Rex Roberton

  • Vice President: Paul Sprague

  • Treasurer returning: Chris Beatty

  • Secretary returning: Greg Butler

  • Education returning: Mark Urnes

  • Library: Kristine Roberton

  • Community Outreach (new position): Herb Senft

North Olympic Peninsula Beekeepers' Association - Clallam County, Washington
PO Box 3036, Sequim, WA 98382
info@nopba.org