With our automated transport, it is easy to move hives to and from locations without causing the bees to undergo unnecessary stress. The average travel time from on of our location to the other is approximately 6-8 hours. Hives are transported into the greenhouse area of the sanctuary based on tags that tell the machines which hives should go where. This depends greatly on hive health, with "sick" hives being set aside so that employees can check on them and administer aide if needed. Other than this occurrence, there is rarely any human involvement within the greenhouse. This gives the bees a safe environment where they can live without disturbance.
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As can be seen on the map to the right, we have 40 current locations, and are working on expanding! The distances between them are designed specifically with bee health in mind, so that long travel times do not impair their growth/reproductive health. Each location has a two mile radius away from the hives, as that is the average amount of foraging distance they need. These locations also are far enough away from commercial orchards and plant businesses that have not given us prior consent to pollinate their fields.
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The sanctuaries themselves are composed of a greenhouse and a warehouse, situated relatively close to one another. The surrounding area is composed of fields and forests, for plenty of food for the bees. The greenhouse also functions to keep the bees warmer during the winter when the temperatures drop below ideal temperatures. There is an average of one to two hives per acre of sanctuary. Several employees are on the premises during the day to upkeep the facility and operate some of the machines. An example of one of the inside's of our greenhouses can be seen below.
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