It is with great sadness we share the loss of our beehives, Leona and Tulip. The reality of the honeybee is a fragile one, especially under current environmental pressures. With nationwide hive losses reaching 55% last season, the weight of caring for these beings feels heavier than ever.

Not long ago, the bees were taking their cleansing flights—signs they had survived winter and were preparing for spring. Yet this early spring period is one of their most vulnerable times. Populations are at their lowest, food sources are scarce, and the colony is investing heavily in raising brood (eggs and larvae), stretching their energy and resources thin.

While the exact cause of a hive’s loss is rarely certain, we can make informed observations—knowing each hive tells a different story.

For Tulip, signs point to starvation. Despite having honey in the hive, the colony consumed what was immediately available and, committed to their brood, did not move to access remaining stores. In their dedication, they ultimately sacrificed themselves, making starvation the deduced cause of loss.

Leona’s story is different. She entered winter strong, with a large population, but appears to have split into two smaller clusters that could not maintain enough warmth, leading to freezing during the fluctuating temperatures of late winter.

Even in loss, the bees leave behind gifts—pollen, honey, lessons, and wisdom. We share these in honor of their spirit, and to continue building our relationship with them.

Leona and Tulip remind us that nature moves on its own terms. Honeybees, only partially domesticated, teach us again and again that much is beyond our control. Our work is to accept that reality, and care deeply for what remains within our reach.

March 27, 2026