Curious about beekeeping? Concerned about the reported decline of pollinators? The Chester County Beekeepers Association (CCBA) is promoting a sweet way to be educated.

The group will hold its annual seminar on March 15 at West Chester University’s Merion Science Center, a forum that offers an excellent opportunity to get information through two separate options: a beginners’ session to introduce “newbees” to this socially useful hobby and an advanced session for beekeepers who have weathered at least one season, a CCBA news release said.

The beginners’ session will be led by Cindy Faulkner and Keith Jardine, longtime beekeepers who will share their insights, including how to set up a hive, what equipment is needed, and how to avoid pitfalls. The advanced session will include information from Dr. Larry Connor, who has been keeping bees, teaching about bees, and writing books about bees for over 40 years; Dr. Don Coats, a veterinarian who uses his medical knowledge and expertise to study both the pollen collected by bees and to troubleshoot problems not visible to the naked eye; and Katy Evans, a doctoral student at the University of Delaware, who will explain what it takes to control bee pathogens without recourse to noxious chemicals, the release said.

The cost is $50 per person ($35 for college students) and includes lunch and networking with 150 to 200 beekeepers. The participants’ expertise ranges from newcomers to veterans like Warren Graham and Howard Frysinger, who have over 50 years of beekeeping experience, according to the release.

Registration will open at 8 a.m., and the seminars will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Attendees under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Vendors are welcome and should contact Howard Frysinger at 

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. Online registration is available at http://www.chescobees.org.

The Merion Science Center is located near the intersection of West Rosedale Avenue and South Church Street. General parking is provided in “D” lot, which is accessed via University Avenue off South Church Street. Handicap accessible parking is located in “H” lot behind the Merion Science Center.