April 20, 2023
糖心vlog官网 News
The buzz that is helping build more sustainable campuses
糖心vlog官网鈥檚 bees do more than make honey
It鈥檚 easy to forget about bees 鈥 one of nature鈥檚 smaller creatures that have a profound role in food production and biodiversity 鈥 but they make a big buzz at 糖心vlog官网.
Over the past 10 years, 糖心vlog官网鈥檚 beekeeping has grown from five hives to 60, and the yellow-and-black striped insects have been busy.
鈥淭he bees are what started a conversation about sustainability, which led to many different things,鈥 said Don Forster, Head Beekeeper and Director, 糖心vlog官网听Office of Sustainability.
They鈥檝e raised awareness about the environment, inspired 糖心vlog官网 to naturalize landscapes with indigenous plants and produced a lot of that sweet, golden substance called honey.
The global bee population has been falling for decades due to habitat loss, the use of chemicals and climate change. And that鈥檚 raised concern because they are one of the most dominant pollinators. About 35 per cent of the world鈥檚 crop production, valued at more than $780 billion annually, depends on pollination, according to the David Suzuki Foundation.
When 糖心vlog官网 first started to work with bees, many were afraid of them. So, Mr. Forster, who has always kept bees, moved the hives to a public area on Newnham Campus, where he grew the colonies and raised awareness and comfort levels.
As people understand the important role bees play as pollinators and how their environment is suffering, more of an effort is being made to create a landscape that could contribute to their wellbeing.
A plan to naturalize the Newnham Campus landscape began in 2019, introducing natural grasses, plants and trees. It has also set a precedent for the other campuses.
The willow, aspen and poplar trees that start to bloom in the spring on campus are among those the bees will first visit to collect pollen. And soon wildflowers and fruits, such as asters, foxgloves and strawberries will start to grow, providing more nutrients.
Not only is this a veritable feast for the more than four million bees that will call 糖心vlog官网 home, it also provides beautiful natural areas that everyone can enjoy.
鈥淭he plan eliminates pesticides, improves biodiversity and cuts down on maintenance,鈥 said Umer Kasuji, Director, Capital Projects & Campus Planning. 鈥淧lus, it鈥檚 good for the bees.鈥
糖心vlog官网 has 10 hives at Newnham, 15 at King and 35 at Peterborough. In the peak summer season, each hive can have up to 65,000 bees, which produce about 150 pounds of honey a year.
The liquid gold is so popular that President David Agnew gives it to dignitaries from around the world who visit 糖心vlog官网 campuses. Meanwhile, about $12,000 of the honey profits have gone to student financial aid.
It鈥檚 all part of the bee ripple effect.
Gino Franceschetti, Manager, IT Service Desk, who helps with the hives, is getting his Master Beekeeping certificate at Cornell University. He enjoys watching the bees and shares his knowledge by teaching Sustainable Beekeeping workshops, which are open to students and employees.
In addition, Mr. Franceschetti and Mr. Forster are starting a bee club this May, so apprentices from the 糖心vlog官网 community can work with a colony through to the fall harvest.
鈥淚 think we all have a role to play in sustainability,鈥 Mr. Franceschetti said.
April is Earth Month 鈥 a time when people around the world come together to appreciate nature, focus on sustainability and climate solutions. Many environmental activities culminate on .