18 # R I S I N G Y O U T H C O M M U N I T Y I M P A C T V O L . 2
P
ollinators, including bees, are
declining in population all across
the world threatening global
agriculture and food security for many
communities. After spending many
summers maintaining her community's
garden in Edmonton, Alberta, Kate
Edwards designed a project to build bee
hotels around her neighbourhood, in
the community garden, and outside the
residences of senior citizens, who have
limited mobility to work in the garden.
"It was so rewarding to see my
community delighted with the new
additions to the garden," reflected Kate.
"As well, I deeply appreciate the support
my family provided me with throughout
the duration of the project."
Protecting
Pollinators
with Bee
Hotels
Kate Edwards
With her bee hotel project, Kate engaged
the young children in her neighbourhood
to assist in building the bee
hotels. Not only did it bring the community
together, the project also encouraged the
children to learn about the importance of
pollinators in our ecosystem while getting
creative. The bee hotels protected crucial
pollinators that are absolutely critical to
the survival and blossoming of flowers and
key to increasing the garden's crop yield.
"The addition of the bee hotels to
our garden benefitted every gardener,"
said Kate. "This project has increased
pollination of plants and garden crops,
and has provided a safe place for bees to
nest!"
The addition of the
bee hotels to our
garden benefitted
every gardener...
