Celebrating World Bee Day at Hintonburg Connection

How urban beehives at Hintonburg Connection contributes to biodiversity and sustainability

A variation of this post was first published on the Westboro Connection blog.

What is World Bee Day?

World Bee Day is a special occasion for residents, staff, and beekeepers at Hintonburg Connection. The mixed-use property is home to three urban beehives, installed on the rooftop of the Westboro and Hintonburg Connection buildings. United Nations marks May 20 as World Bee Day to raise awareness about the importance of bees and other pollinators. The day registers the bees’ contribution to sustainable development and acknowledges the increasing threat to their existence.

Beekeeping – it's all the buzz

Our beekeeping partner Alveole, The Urban Beekeeping Company, helps us to keep the buzz alive by actively monitoring and managing the hive’s health. The installation of the urban beehives at Hintonburg Connection mirrors the values of our residents. The hives bring our residents closer to nature, support biodiversity and allow us to give back to the community. Supporting biodiversity is an integral component of the sustainability program at our properties.

Our bees support biodiversity, breakfast, and community

Last year, our rooftop beehives produced about 450 jars of honey – nearly 150 from each hive – all sold to residents with the proceeds donated to Pollinator Partnership, a registered charity committed to the cause of protecting and promoting pollinators and their ecosystems. The eager participation of the residents in the Honey Sale event displayed their support for the cause and excitement on having live beehives on the roof of their buildings.

The urban beehives are not only a great way for Hintonburg Connection residents to enjoy this sweet treat, but they are also an effective educational tool and promotes positive attitudes toward conserving biodiversity and respecting the ecosystem. The team at Hintonburg Connection believes that it is a special way to connect residents and emphasize the issues related to the environment, industrial agriculture, pollination and greening while producing premium local, artisanal honey.

Who keeps the bees buzzing?

We spoke with Jean-Simon Daigle, beekeeper from Alveole, to learn about the numerous benefits of keeping urban beehives. “Bees pollinate from a five-kilometer radius meaning they will support food and flower growth in the vicinity, plus they will help maintain natural habitats and have a favorable impact on the surrounding ecosystem.”

Pollinators are responsible for keeping more than 130 fruits and vegetables producing so that we have a continuous flow of fresh produce on our tables. Almonds, apples, blueberries, broccoli, cauliflower, and avocados are a few of the crops that are dependent on pollinating insects. Yet they face massive threats from pesticides used in industrial agriculture as well as the impact of climate change. Our community can ensure their survival by protecting and preserving pollinator habitats.

Alveole and Hintonburg Connection work together to create a safe environment for the bees. We help residents make a difference by providing free bee workshops focused on bee education and by wrapping up the season with the exciting honey harvest.

World Bee Day is a momentous day for Hintonburg Connection residents and our management team. It is one way that we strengthen sustainability initiatives, show our commitment to biodiversity, and give back to our community.

Here are a few ways to contribute to the celebration:

• Plant a diverse set of plants that flower at different times of the year;
• Buy raw honey from local farmers and markets;
• Buy products from farmers using sustainable agricultural practices;
• Avoid using pesticides, fungicides or herbicides in your garden or planter;
• Sponsor a hive;
• Make a bee water fountain by leaving a water bowl outside;
• Raise awareness about the importance of bees.