Members of the Langley Bee Club are hosting a free information session in Aldergrove for local bee lovers to learn the basics of beekeeping and how to support our local pollinators.
Scheduled for Saturday, May 11, if weather permits, the event will start with a walk led by Elizabeth Elle, Simon Fraser University professor who has published dozens of studies on the topic of local pollinators.
She will guide attendees around the yard providing information on the plants and insects, explained master beekeeper Bryn Jones, vice president of the club.
“Gather bugs in your own containers [with] bug nets and then convene in the backyard to hear from Elizabeth about what we’ve found,” he said.
He said there will be a show and tell aspect to this part of the event, and suggested people bring their own lawn chairs to sit.
Afterwards, the bee club is holding a ‘What’s Going on in the Hive’ discussion, where members will provide details information for beginner beekeepers on how to care for a hive.
“Bees are crucial to human health and food security,” Jones said.
He noted that bees are widely held responsible for one-third of the food we eat, and that global warming is greatly impacting our local pollinators.
“[As] global warming gets worse, bees diminish and their habitats disappear. The pollination they provide [that] enhances plant growth decreases,” Jones explained. “The plant growth enhancement they produce helps develop plant roots and soil water retention, [reducing] fire risks.”
The event is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to noon, but if it rains the event will be rescheduled to June 1.
Those interested in attending can register for free by emailing bryntrevorjones@gmail.com by end of day Thursday, May 9.
It takes place at Honeybee Haven at 26214 26th Ave., and will have a get-together lunch at Fox and Hounds afterwards.
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