[b]Bees, along with crocodiles, lions, and pit vipers are currently banned in NYC, but a new bill may change that.[./b]
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Urban beekeeping whizzed into the world of fashionable green back in June. At that time, Brian wrote over at TreeHugger that prospective beekeepers have been fighting to have a ban on urban beekeeping lifted in New York City. Back in 1999, the Giuliani Administration added bees to the list of animals prohibited within the city. The list also includes crocodiles, lions, and pit vipers. A violation of the ban incurs a $2,000 fine.
New York City Council member David Yassky introduced a bill that would abolish the ban, but the bill stagnated until local activists rekindled the fight by proposing to the New York Department of Health that the ban be overturned. According to OnEarth, the health department gave the initial okay in a quarterly Board of Health meeting on Thursday. The action requires a second vote in March, following a public comment period, to take effect.
The Last Beekeeper on Planet Green
Local Honey Sweetens the Deal Just like growing your own produce and keeping your own chickens, you can't get more local than keeping your own bees. Local honey tastes so good, and it is truly nature's sweetener. Buying local sweeteners is another great way to reduce your food's travel time and, as a result, your impact on the planet. As an added benefit, bees pollinate many of the plants that thrive in local gardens. Without them we would be in real trouble.
Raw honey has some truly significant health benefits. Although the particular benefits depend upon the floral variety of honey, raw honey may contain niacin, riboflavin, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, or zinc.
Honey is also known for its antioxidant value. Studies confirm that honey contains numerous antioxidants, including chrysin, pinobanksin, vitamin C, catalase, and pinocembrin. Each of these can help to prevent and repair cellular damage.
Spread the Word: We Need More Honey Bees Bees have a much larger role than simply producing a tasty sweet treat--they pollinate everything. Although experts are unsure of why honeybee colonies are collapsing, pesticides, climate change, and other man-made impacts are among the suspected causes. The sudden loss of these great pollinators is alarming because, without them, the world food supply could dry up. They sustain many fruits, vegetables, flowers, trees, and other plants.
Beekeeping Is All the Rage With Good Reason Sami has written extensively about beekeeping. His posts have made it accessible for all those skeptical, but slightly interested, locavores out there. Thinking about getting started? Read Sami's post on Beekeeping for Beginners, then say au revoir to all your preconceived ideas and get to know all of the benefits first hand.
