Hudson Valley Natural Beekeepers (HVNB) was formed in 2014 to serve the Hudson Valley New York area for beekeepers trying to use sustainable and natural practices to care for and live in harmony with honeybees. HVNB also supports those who plant forage and take actions to support pollinators and restore natural habitat, as well as to educate the public about the importance of honeybees and other pollinators.
We encourage beekeepers and non-beekeepers to join us for our meetings and events. Membership is presently free of charge and most meetings are also free, but certain activities from time to time may have a nominal fee.
Our meetings have been held in Ossining, Yorktown Heights, and Bedford Hills, NY. Most of our members hail from the counties of: Putnam, Columbia, Dutchess, and Westchester. There are also members from CT and NJ.
A New York State Department of Environmental Conservation publication entitled Conserving Natural Areas and Wildlife in Your Community says the following about the Hudson Valley’s natural areas and habitat:
“The Hudson Valley is a biological crossroads, bringing together northern, southern, western, and coastal species and habitats. The valley’s location, plus its varied geology and topography, give rise to biological riches of the region. The region’s habitats provide home to more than 2,000 different kinds of plants, birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Nearly 90 percent of the birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians that live in New York State are found in the Hudson Valley. More species of dragonflies and damselflies are found the Hudson Valley than almost anywhere else in the nation.”
We beekeepers and bee supporters are concerned about the loss of natural habitat and ecological degradation for all pollinators and creatures as a whole, and we commit ourselves to the healing of our world. More scientific research is needed to help with the honeybee crisis, yet we draw strength and guidance from the living Earth, the honeybees and our brothers and sisters of all species. We hope that the Hudson Valley will continue to be an area of natural beauty, and culture, with great farmlands and rural heritage, and where fresh food will continue to be grown for all to enjoy.
We strongly encourage your participation and communication. We hope you’ll join our e-mail list, like us on Facebook, read and contribute to our blog and participate in upcoming events!