Bee Prepared - Beekeeping Course - Sept/Oct 2026

Become a member and join us for Bee Prepared this fall.

Have you fallen in love with the honey bees in your garden or during a visit to Beekeeping 101? Are you ready to take the next step to become a full-fledged beekeeper? Do you want to make 2027 your most memorable year ever? We have exactly the thing for you! 

This course provides the instruction and hands-on experience to turn a beginner into a confident backyard beekeeper. Topics include hive management, bee biology, recognizing and treating common diseases and predators, legal requirements of keeping bees in Long Beach, and more. After completing the course successfully, participants may join the Bee Team for additional practice inspecting hives. 

Our course includes various components: one in-person "Intro to Beekeeping" classroom session, one OPTIONAL field trip to a beekeeping supply shop, one in-person "Introduction to the Apiary" at our bee sanctuary,  three Zoom lectures, and one mentorship session at the bee sanctuary. 

• The in-person classroom "Introduction to Beekeeping" will take place TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, from 6-8PM at EDCO Recycling Center.
• The first online Zoom lecture on "Bee Anatomy" will take place TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 7-9PM.
• An **optional field trip** to a local beekeeping supplier will take place SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, from 9:30-10:30. Carpooling options will be available.
• The second online Zoom lecture on "Diseases, Pests, and IPM" will take place TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 7-9PM.
• The In-person "Introduction to the Apiary" will take place SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 9-11AM.
• The third online Zoom lecture on "Mitigating Defensive Behavior" will take place TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 7-8:30PM.
• Each student will sign up via email for ONE mentorship session. Dates available are SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 9-11:30 AM *or* SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 9-11:30 AM. Spots are limited per date. You will receive an email upon registration to sign up for the mentor session. 
• NOTE: ALL STUDENTS will need their own beekeeping suit, gloves, hive tool, and smoker for this course. If you are unable to purchase protective gear by the October 17 meeting, please notify us ASAP.