Andrew Coté, a beekeeper with over a decade of experience, believes that bees can thrive in any environment, whether it’s a vast rural area or a bustling metropolis like New York City. He explains that the bees in Bryant Park can travel up to five kilometers in all directions to find food, even flying to other parks like Central Park and Tompkins Square Park.
Working as a beekeeper in the city presents unique challenges for Coté. He must secure locations for his hives in a densely populated area, where convincing building operators to host thousands of bees can be a tough sell. The urban environment also presents challenges like heat, requiring proper ventilation and water sources for the bees.
Despite these challenges, Coté has found success by placing his beehives in various locations across New York City, from rooftops of skyscrapers like the Waldorf Astoria to green spaces like the United Nations Garden and the sculpture garden of the Museum of Modern Art. He sells his honey from all five boroughs of New York and considers the honey from Rockaway Beach to be his personal favorite.
Coté is not alone in his passion for beekeeping in New York City. The trend has been growing steadily over the past few years, fueled by an increasing interest spurred by the corona pandemic. While he benefits from this trend by selling bee colonies at the start of each season, he worries about the long-term impact on the bee population in the city. He believes that overpopulation could lead to declining populations and even extinction if steps are not taken to manage their numbers carefully.
In conclusion, Andrew Coté’s passion for beekeeping has led him to explore new ways of keeping these vital pollinators healthy and productive while also providing them with enough food and space to thrive. His dedication is inspiring others who share his love for these industrious insects and want to make a positive impact on our environment through sustainable practices such as urban agriculture and natural resource conservation.
