City Rooftops Buzz with 30,000 Urban Bees

Master beekeeper Nicole Palladino is establishing bustling urban apiaries on city rooftops, with one prominent example located at the Westfield Century City shopping center housing around 30,000 bees. Palladino, a conservation biologist, is committed to protecting bee populations, which are vital for pollinating an estimated 70% of the global food supply. She works with the international company Alvéole to create these urban beehives.

Hives placed on rooftops and in community gardens have been shown to increase the yield and size of fruits, vegetables, and flowers in urban environments. Palladino also runs Bee Catchers, Inc., a bee rescue service that relocates hives from hazardous urban locations, such as home walls or rooftops, to safer sites. This conservation effort helps create green belts within urbanized areas, contributing to a healthier city environment.

Westfield Century City receives a small-batch honey harvest annually, shared with shoppers. The unique flavors of urban honey reflect the specific pollens collected within a five-mile radius of each hive. Palladino hopes that increased exposure to bees will inspire greater efforts to protect these essential pollinators, emphasizing their critical role in our ecosystem.