Bees – some find them annoying and others intriguing. If you’re in the latter camp, there’s a free workshop at the Water Valley Community Hall July 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. titled ‘Bees, Trees, and More’ with guest speakers on hand to discuss different issues around the insect.
Gary Bank, a recently retired agroforestry researcher with the Agroforestry & Woodlot Extension Society, will discuss wild bees, their role in the ecosystem and how to manage areas for pollination.
Bank conducted a three-year study on wild bees and their impact on the levels of pollination in canola during his time with the society.
“We want people to increase their awareness of the value of wild bees that play in the pollination of a wide variety of crops.”
For his part, Bank is aiming to cover what pollination is, why it’s valuable and how it plays a role in maintaining ecosystems. For instance, some wild bees are generalists, pollinating a wide range of flowers, while others are specific to only a few species.
He said the biggest issues facing wild bee populations in Alberta are loss of suitable habitat and the negligent use of pesticides.
Provincial apiculturist Medhat Nasr will present on honeybees and current disease issues, as well as managing for honey production.
Nasr will delve into colonial collapse disorder, which occurs when the majority of worker bees in a colony disappear and leave behind a queen, plenty of food and a few nurse bees to care for the remaining immature bees and the queen.
The day will feature a visit to a bee yard north of Water Valley, with a field view and discussion about honeybees at work and the systems that support them.
Attendees will then get a chance to tour the Fallen Timber Meadery and view honey extraction and the equipment with a tasting of a beverage produced at the meadery. Nathan and Kevin Ryan, owner-operators of the meadery, will discuss the economic value of bees and honey.
Nathan Ryan said what they hope people take away from the workshop is an understanding of bees’ complexity and their relationship with the environment.
“We see an incredible amount of interest around all those topics. Every time you create or aid in awareness in bees, it seems to bring people to us.”
While the deadline for registration is today (July 2), those interested in the event can still contact organizers if they’d like to attend, so long as at least 24-hours notice is given before the event. Lunch will be provided.
To register, contact Fionna McCarthy at 403-335-3311, extension 143 or email [email protected].
