Buzzing with Change: Exploring EcoLiving Aruba’s Bee-utiful Mission
Bees have always held a special place in my heart, as they have a unique tie to my childhood. Growing up, my father always taught my sister and me about the importance of bees and the crucial role they play in our ecosystem. I remember my dad would always point out bees to us, save them from being stepped on, let us hold bumblebees, etc. I personally have never been scared of bees, but I know that many people are. While visiting Aruba, I had the pleasure of meeting with EcoLiving Aruba to learn about their ethical beekeeping business and products and have the chance to become a beekeeper for the day!
A Family’s Green Dream
As soon as I visited EcoLiving Aruba, I felt welcomed and like a local. The founders, Dan and Rose, welcomed me into their home and showed me the inner workings of their operation. Their story truly inspired me, and I knew I had to share it.
Since 2018, Dan and Rose have been ethically practicing beekeeping, maintaining product quality control while respecting the delicate bee ecosystem. Sustainability is key in their practices and products, which are all handcrafted and incorporate local Aruban ingredients. Their commitment even extends to crafting beehives and stands by hand, using untreated wood. By harvesting only 60% of the honey and using local beeswax, there is enough honey and pollen left for the bees to feed on.
Booking the Bee Experience
When Dan told me to suit up in the official beekeeper costume, I couldn’t help but contain my excitement. This was truly a once-in-a lifetime opportunity, and you also have the chance to participate!
The beekeeping experience costs $42 per person, and visitors will get to step into the shoes of a beekeeper, wear protective gear, and learn the art of tending to the hives. For locals, there is also a family package deal that you can book. During this experience, you will learn about bee behavior, hive maintenance, and the significance of ethical beekeeping. Dan specifically pointed out the worker bees, baby bees, drone bees, and beeswax to me. Learning about these amazing creatures increased my respect for bees and proved that everything in our ecosystem depends on each other.
Up Close and Personal
Dan allowed me to hold a frame that had hundreds of bees weaving in and out of the honeycombs. When I tell most people that I was able to do this, they say, “Oh my gosh, Cassie, that’s crazy. Weren’t you scared of getting stung?”
Surprisingly, I wasn’t nervous at all, as I felt very comfortable with Dan’s guidance. Bees respond to human energy, so if you stay calm, the bees will remain calm. If you freak out, the bees will freak out too. I had no issue holding the frame, and there were barely any bees swarming or flying around my face. This moment was one of the coolest experiences of my life, as I truly felt connected to these creatures.
If you want to watch a behind-the-scenes video and come along with my experience as a beekeeper, check out my TikTok.
The Bee Background
I am still amazed by how much I learned about bees and wanted to share some background information with you about these incredible insects.
Bees are more than just honey producers; they live in complex societies, with each colony buzzing with activity and purpose. Within a hive, you’ll find a social hierarchy where each bee has a role to play: worker bees forage for nectar and pollen, drones have the sole purpose of mating with a queen, and of course, the queen bee herself runs the hive. The queen bee is the heart of the colony, laying thousands of eggs daily. Her pheromones hold the colony together, guiding its behavior and keeping everyone in harmony.
To learn more about the social behavior of bees, check out this video.
Bee A Foster Program
Since they started beekeeping, EcoLiving Aruba has been working to involve the community. Dan and Rose noticed that people in the community loved Aruba’s natural plants and animals, so they teamed up with those who wanted to have beehives at their homes. Many people were interested, and now there are more than 20 “Bee A Foster” locations around the island. These “Bee A Fosters” not only help give homes to Aruba’s bees, but the fosters also get 10% of the honey the hives produce. All of the “Bee A Foster” locations house a maximum of 3 to 4 hives per location. This shows that ethical beekeeping isn’t just about taking care of the hives but also about being a part of the community.
From Hive to Home: Homemade Goodness
The journey of EcoLiving Aruba’s bees doesn’t end in the apiary. By utilizing the beeswax produced from the hive, Dan and Rose are able to create homemade products that encapsulate the essence of sustainability. Some of their products include 100% natural soap, shampoo bars, lip balm, bug repellent, sunscreen, etc. For those who are local, you can place an order online or visit these specific stores on the island to purchase products.
Join the Buzz for Change
Dan and Rose’s commitment to fostering harmony between humans and nature is an inspiration for all of us to leave a positive impact on our environment. Through their dedication to ethical beekeeping, Eco Living Aruba not only provides a platform for learning but also cultivates a sense of unity with the earth.
In addition to their signature beekeeping experience, they also offer free bee presentations for schools, a lip balm-making experience, and a private garden consultation based on syntropic agriculture.
There are many ways in which you can help support EcoLiving Aruba and the bees, even if you don’t live on the island. Whether it’s through booking a beekeeping experience, supporting their homemade products, or simply spreading the word about their remarkable journey, you have the power to make an impact.
A special thank you to Dan and Rose for welcoming me into their home and allowing me to visit with the bees; this was an experience I will cherish forever!
