Re “Beekeeping within cities raises some concerns” (Page A3, Feb. 15): In some California cities and counties, focus on urban beekeeping overlooks the vital importance of pollination by honeybees in urban flower and vegetable gardens. Fortunately, the city of Sacramento’s beekeeping regulations are generally friendly to urban beekeeping, and Sacramento County – working with our association – has begun the process of revising its beekeeping regulations as part of an updating of urban agriculture ordinances.
Norman Gary, retired UC Davis professor who led the university’s bee program for 35 years, has listed 54 crops dependent to one degree or another on honeybee pollination. More than half of these are fruits and vegetables common in city and suburban gardens.
Honeybees in urban hives are selected to be productive and nonaggressive. With good beekeeping management practices and responsible beekeepers, they are good neighbors.
Never miss a local story.
John H. Sullivan, Sacramento
Sacramento Area Beekeepers Association
EXTRA LETTERS ONLINE
Find them at:
HOW TO SUBMIT
Online form (preferred):
Other: Letters, P.O. Box 15779,
Sacramento, CA 95852
150-word limit. Include name, address and phone number. Letters may be edited for clarity, brevity and content.