Welcome
Bees are critical to our survival. By creating a local bee club, we aim to educate and engage our community about our native and non-native bee populations. We are glad you are here to learn, support and inspire your neighbors about the importance of our local pollinators.
The Birth of a Bee Club
An innocent social post in April 2024 asking if there was interest in a Sublette County Bee Club blossomed into a resounding chorus of support. Comments like: "We don’t have bees but we have been talking about trying to find someone to bring their bees to our ranch in exchange for honey! " "This is such a good idea. We live in town so can’t have our own hive but would love to be able to teach/learn more about the process." "I think this is exactly what my garden is going to need. I'm all in." "I feel like every person needs to know about Bees we owe it to them! Knowledge is Power!!" Cristi Landes was just looking for a network of beekeepers. Now, ninety-one comments later, the Sublette County Bee Society was born. We thank this community for its support and look forward to a healthy and engaging club future.
Promoting Bee Awareness ......Together
At Sublette County Bee Society, we strive to empower our community by highlighting the importance of bees and their habitats. Together, we nurture beekeepers while enhancing ecological awareness. Join us in making a difference.
Meet the Team
The Sublette County Bee Society is lead by three executive committee members, a president, a treasurer and a secretary, all with varying backgrounds.
Please get to know them a little better by reading their bios.
President
Cristi D. Landes
President
High altitude homesteading is not for the faint of heart, nor is it easy. Which is why Cristi put out the question about starting a bee club in 2025. Cristi has been tending bees for more than 5 years between her homes in Washington and Wyoming and it's never easy, but ineffably rewarding. She has two hives in addition to two horses, two mini donkeys, three dogs, two pet pigs and too many chickens to count. Her dream is that this club with help Sublette County and help our bees.
Treasurer
Kate Messal
Treasurer
Kate is an aspiring beekeeper who joined the club to learn, connect, and be inspired by others on their bee journey. She’s also a high-elevation gardener and believes bees are a perfect fit for the world she’s building. As treasurer, she brings over 10 years of experience working for a local community bank and is excited to support the club’s mission and help it grow—just like her future hive.
Secretary
Joanne Blair
Secretary
Joanne is a beekeeper, mother, and wife who brings order to our hive. She met Cristi at a local BOCES bee class and now, as Secretary , she keeps our club running like clockwork. Joanne is focused on learning the best ways to care for her bees through our tough Sublette County winters—always busy, always buzzing.
In Appreciation
The Sublette County Bee Society would like to thank the Sage and Snow Garden Club, especially Arlinda McLaughlin, for its support and guidance in creating this club.
Like flowers and bees, may we all work and live together in harmony.