Did you know the WRAL News studio has four hives of bees living on top of our roof?
Part of the Capitol Broadcasting family for the past 8 years, the bees are taking a temporary vacation to our solar farm in Garner, where they’ll spend their days enjoying the flowers and sunshine until construction on their rooftop home is complete.
“They’re the High 5 Hives,” said Leigh-Kathryn Bonner, founder and CEO of Bee Downtown. “They’re part of WRAL’s culture at this point.”
They’re far from the only rooftop bees across the Triangle. Places like American Tobacco Campus, Bert’s Bees, SAS and Research Triangle Park all have their own corporate beehives, brightly-painted and hidden high stop the roof.
“It’s like a little ‘Where’s Waldo’ all over the Triangle,” laughs Bonner.
How did bees end up on rooftops around the Triangle – and beyond?
Now, because of her passion, there are more than 500 hives on company rooftops up and down the East Coast – but Capitol Broadcasting and WRAL News were one of the first homes to her rooftop bees.
A fourth-generation beekeeper, she grew up on a North Carolina farm, learning the importance of sustainability and nourishing the earth. When she graduated from NC State University, she wanted to make a difference in the world – and bees seemed a good place to start.
“I was interning for Michael Goodman at American Tobacco Campus. I really wanted a beehive of my own, but my apartment wouldn’t allow it. So I asked if I could put a beehive on his rooftop, and he said yes,” she said.
She said Goodman also had a passion for supporting North Carolina agriculture and sustainability.
Soon after, Michael’s brother Jimmy Goodman at WRAL News also wanted bee hives on the roof.
“Michael was the first person to believe in me,” she said. “It’s grown into so much more. It’s connected the community in such a cool way.”
The bees arrive at WRAL News
Bonner remembers delivering the WRAL bees alongside her grandfather and uncle so many years ago, standing alongside Jim and Jimmy Goodman.
“The bees came from my family’s farm, so my uncle drove with my grandfather from Farmville to Raleigh. I got a picture of me with my grandfather and my uncle – the three generations all together on the rooftop of WRAL,” she said, smiling.
Three generations of bee keepers: Bee Downtown Founder Leigh-Kathryn Bonner poses with her uncle, Jerry Flanagan (left), and her grandfather, Harold Flanagan at the CBC bee hive installation.
The bees on WRAL’s rooftop are some of the first ever Bee Downtown hives. Bonner says Jimmy loves his bees.
“He even wears bee socks,” she said.
Over the years, the bees have provided jars of delicious honey for employees and families. Stories of the bees are passed along around the newsroom like legends and lore.
Bonner says she was fortunate to grow up with a family farm and a true connection to the earth, animals and agriculture.
“I wanted people in cities to have that opportunity to understand agriculture. Respect farmers. Love the earth,” she said.
Now, her bees are bringing the love and appreciation of agriculture and sustainability to major companies up and down the coast, including: The New York Stock Exchange, MetLife, Allied Bank, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Dominion Energy and so many more.
How will the bees be safely moved to their vacation home?
Protecting the bees is Bonner’s passion. The caretakers will arrive in full beekeeper suits, and won’t move the bees until after sunset – to ensure all the bees have returned to their hives and no one gets left behind.
“We’ll wear red headlamps because bees don’t see red light, so it won’t disturb them,” she said.
WRAL News will get photos and footage of the move from a safe distance, so viewers can see the experience for themselves.
Bonner says her version of agriculture looks very different than the traditions her family grew up with, but she’s proud to keep the legacy alive.
“It’s a mix of entrepreneurship and agriculture. Mixing the old and the new,” she said. “But the story’s still the same: Love the earth, nourish the earth. It’ll take care of you in return.”
Thanks to WRAL-TV’s Heather Leah for this CapCom story.
Bee Downtown CEO and founder Leigh-Kathryn Bonner
