An Ypsilanti beehive is recovering from vandalism this week.

The Local Honey Project has two honey beehives in the alley adjacent to the Ypsilanti Food Co-op, 312 N. River St. On Wednesday, May 20, they had split one of the hives to make a new colony. However, at some point that night, someone pushed over the hive causing the frame to overturn.

This isn't the first time that vandalism has occurred. According to Lisa Bashert, marketing coordinator and beekeeper, this is the third year in a row that some sort of vandalism has happened. She noted that it usually happens in late May or early June.

"It's pretty demoralizing and sad," she said of what took place, noting that the hives are a deeply beloved project in Ypsilanti. The Local Honey Project was established in 2010.

The frames collapsed outside the box, on top of one another. The 42-degree weather may have injured or killed the brood, which is essentially the baby bees.

The collapse likely injured or killed the queen bee.

Bashert said that all the damage could be substantial, especially in terms of hours spent caring for the beehive, but losing such a large queen bee in particular would be devastating.

"She herself is priceless," she said.

According to Bashert, there are about 30-40,000 bees in the hive at this time of year.

Part of the issue is the fact that the alley is not an enclosed space. Bashert mentioned that employees and volunteers at the Co-op as well as people who live in the neighborhood often use it cut through.

The idea of putting up a fence has been brought up before, but since the alley is in a historic district, as well as a shared right of way with the building next to the Co-op, it's easier said than done.

To prevent vandalism in the future, Bashert, with help from local artists and volunteers, plans be proactive and further educate the community about the benefits of beehives.

Ideas range from teen outreach programs, placing artwork and signs in the alley to even starting a campaign for a "bee cam," which would stream the bee activity online.

As for now, Bashert said the hive is being observed. Unlike last year, Bashert said the surviving bees don't appear to be aggressive, which is a good sign.

Bashert said that she plans to give the bees some days to recover from what happened and look at them again on either Monday or Tuesday.

According to Ypsilanti Police, there are no suspects at this time.

Jack Walsworth is an intern reporter for The Ann Arbor News. Contact him via email at jwalswor@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter.