(WNY News Now) – Biologist-turned-beekeeper Bob Ratterman invites the curious to a behind-the-hive look at honeybee swarms this May 2 at Audubon Community Nature Center.
Jamestown, N.Y. – Colonies of honeybees will soon emerge from their winter slumber and begin gearing up for the summer ahead.
You can learn what happens in their hives at Audubon Community Nature Center’s First Friday, 11 a.m. on May 2.
Bob Ratterman will lead an exploration of the fascinating world of “Honeybees and Swarms” with answers to common bee questions like: What is a swarm? What causes bees to swarm? How do swarms choose the location of their next home?
Ratterman recently retired from Jamestown Community College after 36 years as a professor of biology. In 2018, he was the recipient of the JCC President’s Award and SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.
As a beekeeper for 10 years, Ratterman is actively involved in the Chautauqua County Beekeepers Association, having recently served as president. He currently has five Langstroth hives and manages approximately 250,000 “head of livestock.” When he’s not working his bees, he enjoys other outdoor hobbies including photography, hiking, and fishing on Lake Erie for Smallmouth Bass and Walleye.
You are welcome to bring a packed lunch and visit with Ratterman and fellow attendees after the program.
Fee is $8 or $6 for Nature Center members and children ages 9 to 15. Reservations are appreciated by calling (716) 569-2345 or online at AudubonCNC.org/events. Walk-ins are welcome.
Audubon Community Nature Center is located at 1600 Riverside Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown, N.Y., and Warren, Pa. You can visit the nearly 600-acre nature preserve, check in on the live birds of prey, and hike over five miles of trails dawn until dusk daily for free.
The three-story Nature Center building houses interactive displays, a collection of live animals including the Hellbender exhibit, and the Blue Heron Gift Shop. Visitors are welcome Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m., and Sundays, 1–4:30 p.m. Nature Center members and SNAP/EBT cardholders have free building admission daily. Building admission is also free every Sunday for non-Nature Center members.
To learn more about Audubon and its many programs, call (716) 569-2345, find Audubon Community Nature Center on Facebook or Instagram, or visit AudubonCNC.org. Check out AudubonCNC.org/about for a quick fly-by visit.
Audubon Community Nature Center builds and nurtures connections between people and nature by providing positive outdoor experiences, opportunities to learn about and understand the natural world, and knowledge to act in environmentally responsible ways.
Leave a Reply