Pollinators

Bees and Other Pollinators

The East 40 acreage is home to a myriad of pollinators, including several types of bees, hummingbirds, butterflies and other kinds of insects.

Meet our Beekeeper

Danielle Schwesinger is an artist, an educator, and a lover of bees. A third-generation beekeeper, Danielle has been assisting honey bees in their precious work since 2017. Having learned from the best of the best in the Lehigh Valley Beekeepers Association, and subsequently mentored under Dennis Schuelkens of Criss Cross Road Bee Yard, Danielle now heads up the bee program at NCC East 40 Community Garden. She sees herself a bee-collaborator and works to spread knowledge and understanding of the honey bee’s remarkable selflessness - every action undertaken in service of the colony community as a whole.

Beekeeper, Danielle Schwesinger (left) and 2025 Artist in Residence, Kat Bohn (right)

Learn About Our Apiary Program

Coming soon.

Support Bee Populations

For those looking for more information or to get involved in beekeeping and helping bee populations, please refer to these resources:

Lehigh Valley Beekeepers Association - Over 100 years old, this organization offers an affordable way to attend meetings and explore interests. They offer a winter series, and an annual membership is $15. They have a club apiary at Lehigh-Carbon Community College for on-hands learning.

Penn State Extension Webinars and articles - Offers beekeeping basics, Beekeeping 101 and many more resources.

Meadow View Beekeeping, LLC - Kutztown, PA - Founded by knowledgeable beekeeper, Steve Finke, Meadow View provides ‘all things beekeeping’ including supplies, tours and helpful staff.

Buy local honey - Most imported honey is from China, which is currently banned. However, China heats honey that is exported to destroy the fingerprint in pollen, so buyers can’t trace its origin. Pollen grains are an identifier, where we are able to tell where honey originates from (by region), also known as a ‘fingerprint’. Additionally, honey that is exposed to high heat destroys its nutritional properties.

Think about gardening for purpose rather than just pleasure - There are 8000 types of bees, servicing a large amount of fauna which requires pollen and nectar. By incorporating thoughtful landscaping and vegetation in gardens and outdoor spaces, you can help pollinators thrive.

Edge of the Woods Nursery - Route 100, Orefield, PA - A great local resource for teaching how to better provide for pollinators that can exist in your landscaping and garden.

We kindly ask that you do not approach the bee hives without supervision and permission. If you would like to visit the bees at the East 40 Gardens, please contact Katelynn Frey (kfrey@northampton.edu) or Danielle Schwesinger (dschwesinger@northampton.edu)