The only North American book focusing on top-bar hives and beekeeping. Christy is the owner and founder of Gold Star Honeybees, which offers top-bar hive kits and workshops. Top- bar hives are a `greener,` more bee-centered way to keep bees. This is chemical free beekeeping, allowing honeybees to return to the natural processes that are thwarted by the use of conventional hive equipment and practices. In September 2011 Christy gave a TEDx Talk. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. (video available). A regular blogger at Mother Earth News. The author has presented at three different Pech Kucha nights, telling the story of bees and why she founded Gold Star Honey bees (Video available), as well as presenting at the Mother Earth News Fair (WA), Green Festival and Common Ground Country Fair (60,000 attendees). The author is a member of many organizations that would help in the promotion of ths book, including NOFA, The Green business network, NorthEast Treatment-Free Beekeepers, and several other beekeeping associations. There is a lot of attention in the media at the moment in regards to the declining bee population