Bees are an important part of the arboretum’s Learning Farm ecosystem, as the striped insects pollinate nearby crops such as watermelon and zucchini. The students hope to harvest honey in the future for use at the Monkey Business Cafe and sale by the arboretum.
\n\nMost importantly, says Sara Johnson, professor of anthropology and director of U-ACRE, the apiary provides numerous opportunities for students to engage in research.
\n\n“We look for ways for students to contribute their expertise to solve problems in the ecosystem,” she says. “They learn how to collect data to address research questions.”
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