Houston’s Skyscraper Bees Are Thriving

In downtown Houston, there are more than 15 rooftop beehives set up on top of commercial buildings. Apparently, building owners are adding hives not just to help the environment, but also to connect with the people who live or work there.

The hives are cared for by a company called Alvéole. They specialize in bringing natural spaces, like bee colonies, into city environments. The beekeepers travel around Houston every few weeks to check on the hives.

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Houston’s Skyscraper Bees Are Thriving

Texas is actually one of the top states in the U.S. for beekeeping. In 2012, a new law gave tax breaks to landowners who raise bees, and the number of beekeeping businesses jumped from around 1,800 to almost 9,000 in just ten years.

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Even though beekeeping is growing in Texas, the bee population is struggling. In the past year, the number of bee colonies in the state dropped by nearly 66%, largely due to extreme weather and climate change. That’s a big deal because bees help pollinate one-third of the world’s food crops.

Some people think bees are only important in the country, where big farms grow fruits and vegetables. But bees are just as important in cities. Plants, trees, flowers, and even backyard gardens all depend on bees to stay healthy and grow.