Category Archives: Outreach

Field School at the Bees

Last weekend, the Calgary bee club’s introductory beekeeping course wrapped up with our field school section. After 2 full days (15 hours!) of instruction, participants had a chance to observe, study, touch, and ask questions about the innards of live … Continue reading →

Posted in Friends, Outreach, Tools and Gadgets | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Supporting “Painting the Bees”

It’s pretty hard to pry money out of my pockets.  Unless you’ve got something really great going on that can use a little support. The Good of the Hive is one of the worthy ones. It aims to bring awareness … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, or lack thereof, Ecology, Outreach, Save the Bees | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

March on Down?

This weekend, we celebrate Earth Day. And why not? There are official days for glazed spiral ham (April 15), chocolate covered cashews (April 21!), and bee sting enthusiasts (March 30). So, Earth should have a day of celebration. As a … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, or lack thereof, Outreach, Science | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Humungus Bee Meeting

I thought that there can’t possibly be so many people curious about beekeeping.  But there are.  It’s great to see lots of folks interested in bees, ecology, the environment, and the sport of beekeeping. But the numbers amaze me. New … Continue reading →

Posted in Diseases and Pests, Friends, Outreach | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Judgement Day for Aggie Days

Calgary (Alberta, Canada) has an annual “Aggie Days” with goat-milking, sheep-shearing, rope-making, corn-mazing, and bee-keeping on display. As our city becomes larger (about 1.2 million now) and less connected with its farming and ranching roots, it becomes almost a novelty … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, or lack thereof, Friends, Honey, Outreach | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Wildflowers and Bees

My friend Liz Goldie was in the news again. This time it was a good thing.  She had dropped by a local greenhouse to set up delivery for July for some bee-friendly wildflower seeds to distribute at Calgary’s Stampede. Before … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecology, Friends, Honey Plants, Outreach, Save the Bees | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Beekeepers Come; Beekeepers Go

Between 45% and 75% of British beekeepers are newbies – in their first four years. Only 10% have been at it for more than ten years.  I guess it’s similar in Canada, Australia, and the USA. I saw the UK … Continue reading →

Posted in Beekeeping, Culture, or lack thereof, Humour, Outreach, Save the Bees | Tagged , | 14 Comments

Eating the Vomit of Slaves?

Bees are slaves, and you’re eating their vomit. This headline showed up in my beekeeping news feed this morning. It’s a disgrace to the cause of fighting against the abuse of animals and it shows total stupidity of the subject … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, or lack thereof, Outreach, Save the Bees | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

International (Bee-)Women’s Day

Today (Wednesday, March 8) is International Women’s Day. Women have always played an important role in beekeeping. In developing parts of the world, it is usually women who tend hives and produce honey for their families’ food and cash. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Beekeeping, Culture, or lack thereof, History, Outreach | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Painting the Bees

Let’s celebrate bees –  and enjoy a really cool art project at the same time! Matthew Willey, an energetic and talented artist, is highlighting beauty and nature with a series of gorgeous honey bee murals.  It’s an ambitious project. Willey’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, or lack thereof, Outreach | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments