MajorOz expounded:

Would it make sense to install a hive, bring in some bees, and just
leave it alone, not harvesting honey or wax -- just give them a place
to live and to pollinate the area?

It would be an interesting experiment.

Some of the beeks in our club have had hives that have lasted five or
six years that haven't been treated-those would be good hives to take
splits from. That's what you want to look for, a local beek who has
had his hives live through several winters or more. Catching a swarm
would be good, but you have no idea where that swarm came from unless
there's someone nearby keeping bees - even then there's no guarantee.
--
Ann, gardening in Zone 6a
South of Boston, Massachusetts
e-mail address is not checked
******************************