OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Two bee hive boxes have been installed on the front lawn of the governor’s mansion in Washington state advance of the arrival of about 30,000 European honeybees.

The hives were installed Thursday and the bees will arrive at the state Capitol and be placed in the boxes next Wednesday as part of an effort to raise awareness about the decline of bee populations, as well as to boost pollination of plants at the governor’s mansion and on the Capitol campus.

The hives consist of a stand and a single large box where the queen bee will lay her eggs. Later in the spring, smaller boxes to store excess honey will be stacked on top.

Beekeepers from the association will be responsible for the care and upkeep of the hives.

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