On Saturday, 27th June, the Foundation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee celebrated the successful completion of the fourth edition of its flagship ‘Introduction to Beekeeping and Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee‘ course.
Over ten sessions, participants completed 20 hours of training that combined practical beekeeping with the conservation of Apis mellifera ruttneri, the endemic Maltese Honey Bee and Malta’s National Insect. As the only course in Malta to integrate beekeeping with biodiversity conservation, it equips participants not only with the skills required to manage healthy colonies, but also with a deeper understanding of the environmental challenges facing this unique subspecies, including hybridisation, pesticide exposure and climate change.
The beekeeping course was very informative and had the right balance between theory and practical experience. It provided enough detail to build an understanding of beekeeping without being overwhelming. I would highly recommend it as a starting point for anyone interested in beekeeping. The Foundation members teaching the course were excellent teachers, approachable, and always willing to answer questions and offer guidance.
– A. Grech
The course was very interesting and engaging. All the theory lessons were offered both in person and online, providing a great level of flexibility. I learned a lot about the Maltese bee and beekeeping in general. I encourage anyone interested in this field to enroll in the course and become part of a growing community of Custodians of the National bee.
– E. Sultana
A major focus of the programme was hands-on learning. Through practical apiary sessions, participants gained valuable experience in hive management, identifying brood and food stores, recognising signs of disease, and applying best practices for sustainable beekeeping. These practical sessions continue to be one of the course’s most valued aspects.
Upon successful completion, participants received their certificates and are now eligible to join the Foundation‘s Custodians of the National Insect initiative, where they can actively contribute to the conservation and sustainable management of the Maltese Honey Bee. They also become part of a growing community dedicated to promoting responsible beekeeping and protecting Malta’s natural heritage.
This beekeeping course was incredibly helpful. I began with very little knowledge and quickly developed a strong understanding of beekeeping and hive management. Most importantly, I gained a deep appreciation for conserving the Maltese honey bee. Thank you!
– C. Zahra
In the course we learnt what we needed to know about the Maltese honey bee, how to conserve it and how to be responsible beekeepers. The lectures were quite intense (2 hour long per session) but not boring or tiring. Through the practical sessions we had some close encounters with the bees themselves and we could see the information from the lectures being put into practise. Sincere thanks goes to Dylan and Jorge.
– T. Bezzina
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