Join us for a Honeybee Pollination Walk with Beekeeper Chris Layman. The walk will take place at the Thorn Preserve. In addition to discussing the pollination process and the importance of pollen to the life of the honeybee, Chris will also present a brief overview of the history of Woodstock bee forage, identify the plants that attract the honeybees to this rich, diverse landscape and discuss the benefits of foraging near riparian zones. This program is free and open to the public. Remember to bring your camera and sunscreen!

Bees are essential pollinators in our environment. The Thorn Preserve is a microbiome of largely open fields of wildflowers that bees and other insects pollinate as they collect nectar for their own sustenance. Without this help the wildflowers could not reproduce. Honeybees have been under great threat in recent years and the hives at Thorn contain some rescued colonies. The bees in the hives at Thorn serve multiple purposes: they are a home for rescued bees; they help educate the public to the benefit of honeybees and bees in general; they produce honey and pollinate the flowers of the Thorn Chris Layman, beekeeper for the past five years at Fox Farm Apiary, will lead the August 15 tour. Chris installed and watches over the hives at the Thorn preserve. He came to beekeeping through a drive to protect and support these most essential pollinators.  With utmost respect for the bees and an ever-growing understanding of their needs, he employs a variety of hive styles and a combination of sustainable beekeeping methods in his apiaries. Chris has considerable experience protecting lands and working in the field.  A former Board Member of the Native American Institute of the Hudson Valley, he worked with members of the Mohican Tribe to preserve and protect village and burial sites from development. As a Stonescape Artisan specializing in Legacy Landscaping, Chris has experience working with private clients in the Hudson Valley for the past 15 years to improve landscapes and gardens.

Thorn Preserve is comprised of 60 beautiful acres near the Town of Woodstock, Ulster County. The preserve boasts the most painted views of Overlook Mountain. Sweeping grassland habitat, riparian forest and ponds make this spot a profoundly relaxing and peaceful area. Mowed walking paths are easily accessible from John Joy Road. Thorn Preserve will remain an undeveloped landscape, which will allow us to offer nature-based education, sustainable agriculture, model stream management, and an ideal Thorn Preserve is operated in partnership with the Woodstock Land Conservancy. 

For more information, contact the Catskill Center at 845-586-2611, kpalm@catskillcenter.org, or visit www.catskillcenter.org.