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About this course

Bees play a vital role in healthy ecosystems as pollinators. Through their regular activities, bees fertilize plants thus allowing them to fruit, reproduce, and produce food crops for human and animal consumption.

Not only are bees invaluable to natural environments, they are also critical to our foodways and economy. Pollinators are so important that one of out of every three bites of food in the US depends on honeybees and other pollinators.

If honeybees are so important to nature, humans, and our economy, why are honeybee colonies down in recent years? The answer lies in how we've been taking care of them.

In this introductory course on Natural Beekeeping for Beginners, professional beekeeper, herbalist, and owner of Honeybee Herbals, Courtney Cosgriff explains natural beekeeping and why it important to look to the bees for best practices of their care. This course focuses on natural beekeeping and taking a holistic approach to our relationship to the bees. Natural beekeepers consider themselves guardians of their hives and support the bees in their own natural tendencies. Topics covered include a honeybee overview, the anatomy of the hive, a brief history of humans and bees, the modernization of beekeeping, steps to becoming a beekeeper, red flags, and products of the hive.

Sign up today to learn more about stewarding bees as a critical part of our ecosystem!

Course outline

3 modules
56 minutes of video lectures
Module 1 • 2 assignments
Introduction to Natural Beekeeping

In this module, HeatSpring instructor Courtney Cosgriff explains the basics of natural beekeeping and why it's critical for a healthy planet.

  • Natural Beekeeping for Beginners (56:03 minutes)
  • Honeybee Herbals
Module 2 • 4 assignments
Additional Resources on Natural Beekeeping

  • BackYardHive
  • Apis Arborea
  • Les Crowder Natural Beekeeping
  • Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary

Author

Courtney Cosgriff

Honeybee Herbals

Courtney is a beekeeper, clinical herbalist, gardener, and activist. Courtney began her path with the honeybees in 2011 at the age of 18. Since then, Courtney has dedicated much of her life to working with the bees and being a voice and activist for them in these uncertain times. Courtney spent many years studying and apprenticing with various beekeepers until forming...

Frequently asked questions

Full FAQ
How does this course work?
This is a free course. Enroll today and get access to all of the materials instantly. The lecture video and other materials are available any time.
How long do I have access to the materials?
For free courses there is no guarantee for how long the course materials will be available.
Is there a certificate of completion?
Certificates of completion are only provided to HeatSpring Membership subscribers. This course has not been approved by any credentialing organizations (NABCEP, AIA, USGBC etc) for Continuing Education Credits (CEUs). This course is for self education purposes only and completion does not indicate a level of professional expertise or credential.
Can I register multiple people?
Yes, this is a free course so you can share this page with other people from your team.

Reviews

4.9
Based on 8 reviews
140
students have taken this course
11/27/2024

This course has not only fueled my passion for honeybees but it has given me a base of information I can now build on. The resources are also amazing and all about natural beekeeping!

Ainsley Hayes
07/30/2023

Comprehensive introduction to the world of natural beekeeping

sky bear
05/17/2024
Lorraine L

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