Much has been done since the City of Duncan became the first “Bee City” on Vancouver Island in 2021.
A staff report by Jessica Hodgins, Duncan’s corporate services coordinator, that was presented at the council meeting on June 9 said pollinator-friendly plantings and several native bee houses to support pollinators have been installed in Centennial Park, and informational signage that will educate and build public awareness is also planned for the park.
As well, Hodgins said that Cowichan Green Community undertook a native species planting project in Rotary Park a number of years ago, with the support of city parks staff, that will benefit pollinating bees, and these areas are now well established.
“There are also large areas of Rotary, McAdam, and Centennial parks that are unmanicured to support pollinator habitat, and enhanced by the planting of flowering perennial shrubs focusing on early blooming species to support pollinators when they first emerge,” she said.
“The Cowichan Beekeepers Society is almost ready to launch its Bee Mobile, a 14-foot cargo trailer, as an educational classroom on wheels. Interested volunteers are encouraged to reach out to the society, and donations to bring the Bee Mobile to schools and community events can be made at www.cowichanbeekeepers.ca.”
Bees are in serious decline due to the combination of habitat loss, disease, climate change and exposure to pesticides, and mites have also taken a toll on the honeybee population in the Cowichan Valley during the winter months this year.
It has been reported that the survival rate of honeybee hives in the Valley was approximately 25.5 per cent, down from the usual 60 per cent, at the beginning of spring this year largely due to the mites.
With the knowledge that bees are integral to the delicate cycle of life, the City of Duncan became the first municipal member on Vancouver Island in 2021 of Bee City Canada, an organization dedicated to connecting communities across the nation in the protection, promotion and celebration of bees and other pollinators.
Hodgins said public awareness about pollinator-friendly planting seems to have come a long way in the region in the last few years, and local nurseries and growers are raising awareness of the issue with their customers.
“As well, Vancouver Island University has offered an Introduction to Backyard Beekeeping workshop in the past, and continues to invite expressions of interest for this workshop on its website,” she said.
