What's Happening in Downsview, ON…

Bee numbers have shown a sharp decline in recent years, and Downsview’s Black Creek Community Farm recently gave the public a chance to learn more about these tiny, but vital creatures.

The farm hosted its annual Pollinator Bee Day, which offered those who came out a chance to take part in a variety of activities to help educate them about bees and also to provide habitat for them. Some of the members of the Toronto beekeeper’s cooperative worked with volunteers to install bee gardens designed to attract them to the area. The hope was that these would provide shelter and food for these beneficial insects so that they would stay and pollinate crops.

During the afternoon portion of the event, there was a tasting session that featured local honey, and apiarists were on hand to talk about their work and take questions from the public. They also showcased the different products that can be made from honey and beeswax, and provided information about how people can plant their own pollinator gardens. Brochure printers can produce a variety of promotional materials that can be distributed to the public to let them know what they can do to help make their own yards as welcoming to honey and other bees as possible.

According to the event’s organizer Verity Dimock, who is also the Farm’s resource development coordinator, bees are crucial to food production, so it’s important that they be protected.