We integrate principles of Deep Ecology into our learning processes about the nature of honeybees. Deep Ecology states that “the well-being and flourishing of human and nonhuman life on Earth have value in themselves. These values are independent of the usefulness of the nonhuman world for human purposes”. We created a seven-year research project to further our understanding of wild, unmanaged, and naturalized honeybees. We are locating, evaluating, and monitoring wild honeybee populations in a remote Wildlands Preserve in California. Many indications and scientific studies point toward longevity and the elevated health of unmanaged honeybees in remote landscapes that are shielded from modern beekeeping practices.
