The Foundation Launches Second Intake of Its Beekeeping and Conservation Course

Following the success of its inaugural programme, the Foundation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee is proud to announce the second edition of its Introduction to Beekeeping and Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee course!

Designed for aspiring and early intermediate beekeepers, conservationists, educators, and nature enthusiasts, this course provides both theoretical knowledge and practical experience centred on Malta’s endemic honey bee, Apis mellifera ruttneri, our officially recognised National Insect.

The first course, which concluded in December 2025, received overwhelmingly positive feedback. Participants praised the structured lessons, hands-on apiary sessions, and the way the course instilled a deep appreciation for the Maltese Honey Bee and its crucial role in our ecosystem. Many described it as a transformative experience, combining technical skills with a strong conservation ethos. Inspired by this feedback, the Foundation has refined the second course to make it even more engaging and accessible.

What’s New in the Second Course

The second course introduces several key enhancements:

• Increased practical sessions: Learners will now have additional guided visits to working apiaries, gaining more hands-on experience with hive inspections, colony management, disease identification, and honey harvesting.
• English cohort: To broaden access, the course will be offered entirely in English, making it suitable for residents, expatriates, and international participants with an interest in Maltese beekeeping.
• Hybrid learning: The theoretical lessons can be attended either online or in person at the Valletta Design Cluster, allowing flexibility for participants with varying schedules or locations.

The course consists of 20 hours, combining interactive lessons with practical learning. Topics include bee biology and behaviour, sustainable hive management, legal requirements for beekeeping in Malta, and conservation strategies addressing threats such as hybridisation, pesticide exposure, and climate change. Participants will also learn to implement pollinator-friendly practices and contribute to citizen science projects.

Join Us and Make a Difference

Spaces are limited to ensure high-quality learning, and early registration is recommended. By joining the course, participants not only gain practical and theoretical beekeeping skills but also become part of a growing community committed to conserving Malta’s native pollinators.

All course details are provided below. Spaces are limited to ensure a high-quality learning environment. Take the first step towards becoming a beekeeper and help safeguard Malta’s unique bee heritage. To reserve your place, kindly follow these instructions;

1. Kindly effect the payment of €175 to the Foundation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee (IBAN: MT44 VALL 2201 3000 0000 5002 0135 691, BIC: VALLMTMTXXX). N.B. A fiscal receipt will be provided on the first day of the course. Please note that the fee is non-refundable (in part or in full) and non-transferable.
2. Once payment has been made, please email us at info@maltesehoneybee.org and forward the following information for our records, which will be used to issue your course completion certificate:

• Full name and surname
• Email address
• Mobile number
• ID card number

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Title: Introduction to Beekeeping and Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee (English Cohort)

Duration: 10 Lessons × 2 Hours Each (Total: 20 Hours)

Fee: €175

Venues:

Lessons 1-5 & 8-10 (Theory):            Online or Valletta Design Cluster, Valletta

Lessons 6 & 7 (Practical):                           Alexander Ball Garden, Ħal-Safi

Timetable:

Lessons 1 and 2 (4 Hours) – Saturday 14th February 2026, 9:00am–1:00pm

Lessons 3 and 4 (4 Hours) – Saturday 21st February 2026, 9:00am-1:00pm

Lesson 6 (Practical) (2 Hours) – Saturday 28th February 2026, 9:00am-11:00am

Lessons 5 and 8 (4 Hours) – Saturday 7th March 2026, 9:00am-1:00pm

Lesson 7 (Practical) (2 Hours) – Saturday 14th March 2026, 9:00am-11:00am

Lessons 9 and 10 (4 Hours) – Saturday 21st March 2026, 9:00am-1:00pm

What’s Included:

• Certificate of Attendance (issued to participants who attend at least 80% of the sessions)
• Direct access to Custodians of the National Insect scheme as Guardian of the National Insect (beekeeper)
• Opportunities to be part of the wider Foundation.

Group Size:

• Minimum: 4 participants
• Maximum: 15 participants

Intended For:

This course is ideal for beekeepers (both experienced and aspiring), conservationists, educators, and nature enthusiasts who wish to support Malta’s native biodiversity. It also welcomes farmers, gardeners, and citizen scientists interested in pollinator-friendly practices and anyone passionate about becoming a Guardian of the National Insect by helping to protect and keep the endemic Apis mellifera ruttneri.

Language: English

Course Overview

This comprehensive course is designed to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and commitment required to become Guardians of the National Insect (beekeepers in Malta who keep and protect the Apis mellifera ruttneri, the endemic Maltese Honey Bee and Malta’s officially recognised National Insect).

It provides aspiring beekeepers, educators, and nature enthusiasts with a strong foundation in Maltese beekeeping practices, underpinned by a deep commitment to conservation and sustainability. Centred on the unique Apis mellifera ruttneri, the course blends practical instruction with ecological awareness, reflecting Malta’s national efforts to safeguard its native pollinators and biodiversity.

Across ten structured lessons, participants will explore the biology and behaviour of honey bees, the specific needs and traits of the Maltese subspecies, and the essential tools and techniques for responsible hive management. The course also covers the legal and ethical dimensions of beekeeping in Malta, as well as the major environmental threats facing bees today, such as hybridisation, pesticides, and climate change.

Hands-on sessions and an observational visit to a working apiary offer direct experience in hive handling, disease recognition, and sustainable honey harvesting. Participants will also learn how to implement pollinator-friendly practices, contribute to citizen science projects, and engage in broader conservation efforts that support the long-term survival of Malta’s native bee population.

The course will not only teach participants how to rear the Maltese honey bee but will also raise awareness about the importance of conservation. Rearing and conservation should go hand in hand, ensuring that beekeeping activities indirectly contribute to the protection of ecology and the local environment. Furthermore, the course encourages a shift from a linear to a circular economy mindset, thereby supporting the sustainability of the apicultural sector.

By the end of the course, learners will not only be prepared to establish and maintain bee colonies responsibly, but will also join a growing community of committed individuals actively working to preserve the Maltese Honey Bee and its vital role in our ecosystem.

Target Audience

• Adults with an interest in beekeeping, agriculture, biodiversity, or environmental conservation.
• Beginners or early intermediate beekeepers.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will:

• Understand the biology and behaviour of Maltese Honey Bee.
• Learn practical skills for managing hives and rearing bees responsibly.
• Appreciate the importance of the Maltese Honey Bee and how to help conserve it.
• Be able to identify threats to bee health and apply sustainable practices.
• Visit and safely interact with active beehives in an apiary.

Lesson Plan (2 hours each)

Lesson 1: Introduction to Beekeeping in Malta

• Introduction to the course
• Historical overview of beekeeping in the Maltese Islands.
• Introduction to the Maltese Honey Bee (Apis mellifera ruttneri): characteristics and importance.
• Overview of basic beekeeping equipment and terminology.
• Legal framework and regulations relevant to beekeeping in Malta.

Lesson 2: Understanding the Maltese Honey Bee

• Anatomy of the Maltese honey bee and roles within the hive: queen, drones, and workers.
• Bee behaviour and methods of communication (e.g., the waggle dance).
• The life cycle and reproductive biology of bees.
• Unique traits and adaptations of the Maltese Honey Bee subspecies.

Lesson 3: Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee

• The ecological value of conserving native pollinators.
• Key threats: hybridisation, pesticide use, habitat loss, and climate change.
• An introduction to genetic testing and its role in subspecies verification
• Overview of the National Insect initiative and related legal protections.
• The role of designated custodians of the National Insect.
• The beekeeper’s role in safeguarding biodiversity.

Lesson 4: Equipment and Hive Management

• Overview of basic beekeeping equipment and terminology
• Common hive types used in Malta and their features.
• Practical use of hive tools and the smoker
• Essential tools and protective gear for safe beekeeping.
• Establishing an apiary: site selection, layout planning, and preparation.
• Seasonal hive management practices in the Maltese climate.
• Managing comb, hive space, and honey supers

Lesson 5: Starting and Maintaining a Maltese Honey Bee Colony

• Sourcing bees: catching swarms, making splits, and acquiring nucleus colonies (nucs)
• Introducing and monitoring queens; assessing colony strength and the importance of record-keeping
• Supplementary feeding: when and how to provide nutrition support.
• Practical sanitation and disease prevention measures
• Induction for beehive inspections

Lesson 6: Apiary Visit I – Hive Handling and Maintenance

• Guided visit to a functioning apiary.
• Live demonstration of a hive inspection.
• Identifying brood, pollen and honey stores.
• Hands-on practice with tools under supervision.

Lesson 7: Apiary Visit II – Assessing Colony Status

• Practical record-keeping.
• Observing signs of colony health or distress.
• Pests and disease diagnostic protocols.
• Treating for common apicultural pathogens.
• Emphasis on safety, respect for bees, and ethical handling.
• Bee products appreciation.

Lesson 8: Bee Health and Disease Management

• Identifying symptoms of common bee diseases (e.g., Varroa mite, foulbrood).
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies.
• Approved treatment methods and hygiene protocols in Malta.
• Accessing veterinary support and understanding registration requirements.

Lesson 9: Honey Harvesting and Sustainable Practices

• Methods for honey bee products’ harvesting.
• Types of honey and how they vary with flora and season.
• Processing, filtering, and safe storage techniques.
• Labelling requirements, local markets, and developing value-added products.
• Ethical and sustainable approaches to honey production and hive management.

Lesson 10: Conservation in Practice

• Creating pollinator-friendly environments: support the planting of indigenous species and avoiding harmful chemicals.
• The role of green corridors and native flora in supporting biodiversity.
• Developing a conservation action plan as a beekeeper.
• Participation in citizen science and pollinator monitoring programmes.
• Building connections with local and national conservation initiatives.
• Concluding remarks

To stay up to date with the Foundation’s work, we warmly invite you to join our WhatsApp community. The smooth functioning of our organisation relies on financial resources, and your support is essential. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a real difference in advancing our mission. You can help by joining the Foundation’s cause, become a supporter for just €10 a year or make a donation here: Support the Foundation.