Knox-Lincoln County Beekeepers (KLCB) will host their first outdoor meeting of the season on Saturday, April 28 (rain date April 29). The topic is “Managing for and Collecting of Bee Swarms” and will be held at 10 a.m. at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, 132 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay.

Let’s face it — bee swarms happen. Here’s how you can capture one successfully, help it survive and get more honey in the process. Swarming, though it has negative connotations, is a natural bee behavior — it’s how new beehives are started.

CMBG’s CFO and EAS Master Beekeeper Erin McGregor-Forbes will talk to us about swarms; how and why they happen, when they happen, how to capture them and how to manage your hives for swarming. The Gardens has hives on site and we will visit them as well. Forbes is past president of both Cumberland County Beekeepers and Maine State Beekeepers Association.

Little by little the number of hobby beekeepers in Maine has been growing. Forbes has simultaneously encouraged and educated many of these beekeepers as an instructor at annual bee schools and the creator of several beginner “how to” beekeeper videos.

The KLCB Meeting and presentation is free and open to the public. It does not include admission to the Gardens. Visit www.mainegardens.org for details.

Bring a veil and protective equipment. For details and directions to KLCB events, please visit the website at www.klcbee.com. For more information or questions, call Jean Vose at 563-7564.