Bowie presents 'Sweet Buoy Honey' beekeeping and pollinator-education program

City of Bowie staff on Jan. 20 showcased Sweet Buoy Honey, a city-run beekeeping initiative that combines pollinator habitat stewardship, youth education and small-batch honey production.

Alyssa Jarrett (Arts & Culture Program Specialist) and Lexi Willems (Sustainability Planner) introduced the program, which places beehives in White Marsh Park and pairs them with pollinator gardens and education programs. Park ranger and beekeeper Charlie Blevins described hive biology, harvest techniques, and the city’s inaugural harvest; he estimated roughly 60,000–70,000 bees across the established boxes and explained operations such as using a smoker to calm bees and leaving sufficient honey stores for winter.

The program’s stated goals are to support pollinators, educate youth about pollination and sustainable gardening, and produce locally harvested honey for community engagement and potentially modest revenue or partnerships. Staff said two hives produced a small inaugural harvest (tulip poplar honey) and that they are exploring additional locations, including a Ken Hill Center rooftop adjacent to an existing pollinator garden.

Council praised the initiative and asked about production scale, revenue potential and expansion logistics. Staff noted variability by year (weather affects nectar/pollen), that the initiative is primarily educational, and that the city will explore partnerships for distribution and programming.

Ending: Staff will return with any proposals for program expansion and coordinate with departments for site selection and outreach.