MERCER – The delicate balance within the ecosystem between bees and woodlots is the topic to be addressed by an avid beekeeper, Peter Lammert of the Maine Forest Service, from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 30, at the home of Mary and Robert Burr on Beech Hill Road.

Healthy woodlots are essential for the success of bees because they need to pollinate and trees need to be pollinated.

Matt Scott, founding member and past president of the Maine State Beekeepers Association, will join Lammert in discussing the balance and answering questions.

During the program, sponsored by the Upper Kennebec Valley Chapter of the Small Woodland Owners Association, the speakers will answer questions such as how to manage a woodlot to encourage honey bees, what things woodlot owners don’t want on their woodlot if they want bees, how to start keeping bees, whether keeping bees can start with bees already out in the wild and more.

The workshop is free and open to all.

The Burrs are SWOAM tree farm members and avid beekeepers and woodlot managers. Their home is located 1.5 miles on the left off Route 2, number 1334 Beech Hill Road. Look for “Blue Ribbon” and Tree Farm signs.

For more information, contact Patty Cormier at 474-3499 or patty.cormier@maine.gov.