Honeybees are an essential component of agriculture and providing food to society. That is just one of the messages abuzz at the Honeybee Discovery Center in Orland – Honeybee Capital of the nation.

But there is something new to buzz about as the Center introduces a new initiative aimed at engaging local businesses and the community in an effort to raise the interest needed for the non-profit center to continue its educational and outreach programs.

Since relocating to Fourth Street in December, the Center has grown in several aspects, but with that growth comes the need for additional funding – thus the introduction of the “Golden Bee Circle,” unveiled at a reception at the Center on July 30.

The “Golden Bee Circle” is a fundraising campaign aimed at enlisting the support of those with both influence and affluence to help sustain the center’s operations and amplify its message. It’s a natural fit for Orland, which calls itself the Queen Bee Capital of North America.

During the reception, guests were invited to become a founding member of Golden Bee Circle, “a special community of supporters committed to protecting pollinators through impactful education and collaboration between growers and beekeepers.”

“Those who are Golden Bee Circle members will help build a legacy of protection and awareness,” said Carolina Burreson, CEO of the center.

The centerpiece of the Center’s outreach is its new “Bee Mobile,” a custom-wrapped van serving as a mobile classroom, bringing honeybee education directly to schools and community groups across the region.

According to the Center, the Bee Mobile will provide a larger outreach of education, with the hopes of reaching an additional 20,000 students throughout the region.

In the meantime, the Center continues to offer a number of programs with the next BEE-NATOMY 101 class to be held on Wed., Aug. 20 from 3-6 p.m. and Sat., Aug. 23 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The class provides an intricate look into the dynamic anatomy of the amazing honeybee. A deep dive into the bodies of the buzzy little buddies, whose winged wonders have some incredible features that we are sure to thrill the learner.

For more information about the Bee Mobile and other programs offered at the Honeybee Discovery Center, call 530-805-2899 or go online to honeybeediscovery@gmail.com