Getting the Buzz on Bees

Members of the Negros Occidental Garden Club (NOGC) recently visited the Gawahon Eco-Tourism Park and and Bee GLAD Association in Barangay 10, Sitio Gawahon, Victorias City for a hands-on learning experience focused on bee conservation, sustainable livelihoods and environmental stewardship.

The field visit followed a presentation earlier this year by beekeeper and environmental advocate Freddie Lozada, focal person of the Bee Program of the Brgy. Gawahon Livelihood on Apiculture Development Association (Bee GLAD). During the club’s May general assembly, Lozada highlighted the vital role bees play in food security, biodiversity and healthy ecosystems, inspiring members to see firsthand the work being done at Gawahon.

Set among lush rolling hills, forest trees, and flowering plants, the bee farm provides an ideal habitat for pollinators. Surrounded by fresh mountain air and a rich diversity of vegetation, the site demonstrates the close relationship between thriving natural habitats and healthy bee populations.

The visit began with an informative talk by Lozada on the life and importance of bees. Members learned how worker bees gather nectar from plants and transform it into honey through natural enzymes and processes within the hive. He also explained the complex social structure of bee colonies and the essential pollination services bees provide to agriculture, biodiversity and environmental health.

A highlight of the visit was the opportunity to observe local stingless bees up close. During a guided tour of the farm, members watched demonstrations on hive management and learned how native bee species are being nurtured and protected through community-based conservation efforts.

The group also gained insight into livelihood programs built around sustainable honey production. These initiatives help local families generate income while encouraging the protection of forests and other natural ecosystems that support pollinator populations.

Several members had the opportunity to try on beekeeping gear and observe hive inspections at close range. They also sampled fresh, raw honey straight from the hive, experiencing the unique flavor produced by bees feeding on the diverse flora of the Gawahon area.

Following the bee farm tour, members shared lunch before visiting one of Gawahon’s scenic waterfalls, where they enjoyed the beauty and tranquility of the park’s natural surroundings.

The visit reinforced a message Lozada shared during his earlier presentation: protecting bees means protecting people. As pollinator populations worldwide face threats from habitat loss, climate change and pesticide use, local initiatives such as Bee GLAD demonstrate how conservation, sustainable livelihoods and community participation can work together for mutual benefit.

For NOGC members, the day offered a meaningful blend of learning, nature appreciation and fellowship, while deepening their understanding of the small but indispensable creatures that help sustain life on Earth.* (Robert Harland)