Providing just a few metres for a few plants for the little pollinators that help to grow our food, can create a healthier environment for everyone nearby.
That’s evident in the local bee population in Southlands Tsawwassen where bees are thriving because they have everything they need, says beekeeper Julia Common, who’s been keeping bees in the area for about 20 years.
And when bees are thriving, and helping farmers, it’s because the environment is giving them what they need, said Common.
One summer, the wide boulevard along both sides of Southlands Drive was planted with a mix of pollinator plants, which led to a healthy increase in honey production.
“The honey was just oozing out of the hives,” Common said.
Common is also caring for thousands of bees located in seven honeybee hives in the new Southlands Tsawwassen Bee Apiary set up near 56th Street and Southlands Drive. A bee-friendly habitat nearby also ensures there’s enough food for native bees who can only fly a few metres in their quest for food.
The apiary is a partnership between Century Group’s, Bria Communities, which operates four seniors’ residences in Tsawwassen and Langley, and Century’s Southlands Tsawwassen community.
Four of those hives will be sponsored by the four Bria seniors’ residences.
Seniors at the Waterford, who joined the pilot version of Bee Well Project last year, listened in on several presentations about bees by Common and went on a field trip and helped prepare the apiary and even harvested honey.
This year, residents at all four residences can join in the Bee Well Project.
With the opening of the Southlands apiary, seniors in the two Tsawwassen residences (Wexford and Waterford) on 56th Street, now have a bee project close to home. One of the features of the apiary is the gravel parking lot that’s been pressed into “honeycomb” moulds that provides a firm surface for walkers and wheelchairs. Conveniently located boulders provide a place for seniors to rest and watch the activities.
A few weeks ago, seniors were painting the hives for the apiary.
“It’s very hands on, interactive. With Julia our residents get the opportunity to right in there to be involved,” said Janice Miller, manager of marketing and community relations at Bria Communities.
Miller says that helping with projects in the outdoors has health benefits.
One of the International Council on Active Aging seven dimensions of wellness includes an environmental wellness component, she pointed out.
While the grand opening (held on May 24) marks the official beginning, the big day will be harvest day sometime in August when the golden liquid is retrieved from the hives.
“Last year, the honey harvest for the Waterford residence … involved 40 to 50 pounds of honey,” said Miller. “It’s just so wonderful to see the fruit of your labour and to get your hands sticky. It’s really delightful.”
About 70 seniors from the four residences are involved.
Common said she’d like to see other developers take on similar projects.
“Because you can’t stop development, but you can make it better,” she said.
Christine Grange, destination manager at Southlands Tswawwssen, said that Southlands Farming and Food Foundation owns and operates the apiary, while Southlands Grange Centre for Farming and Food, manages the educational programs and tours.
Southlands Grange is also sponsoring one of the hives.
Common says she hopes the concept will spread.
“It feels like a very unique relationship, and it would be so super cool if somehow other developers got an idea of doing this,” she said.
She said normally, beekeepers run away from developers but with Century Group, it’s the opposite.
“And it’s just so amazing to be able to think my bees are actually safer here and getting good food and protected here on this land,” said Common.
