Honeybees play a critical role in our food supply, but they're increasingly at risk due to things like

• changing agricultural practices,
• change in climate,
• introduction of new pests and diseases, and
• rapidly growing global population.

But, there are many ways you can help. Visit the Honeybee Centre's Community Bee Gardens across Surrey, plant some bee-attracting plants in your garden or even volunteer or donate to help protect bees in our communities.

Honeybee Centre's Community Bee Garden Project

We're supporting the Honeybee Centre's Community Bee Garden Project in its mission to introduce pollinators into our community and provide education about honeybees, native pollinators, and ways you can support bees from your own backyard.

The Community Bee Garden Project inspires, educates and connects communities to create better awareness for honeybees and to support food sustainability. All of the honey produced by these bee gardens is sold at various locations around Surrey with 100% of the proceeds donated to the Surrey Food Bank.

Bee Garden Locations

The Honeybee Centre's Community Bee Gardens are located in City parks or on other City owned land. There are 2 honeybee colonies in the centre of each garden. Honeybees are incredibly gentle and non-aggressive.

• Cedar Grove Park
• Stewart Farm at Elgin Park
• PLOT: A Community Land Art Project
• Darts Hill Garden
• Ocean Park Community Orchard
• Clayton Community Garden

Attracting Bees with your Garden

Approximately one-third of our food supply is pollinated by various bees. Taking care of pollinators is not only important, but it's essential for the ecosystem to function.

The best way you can help and attract pollinators is by feeding them. Grow a garden of pollinator friendly plants that will bloom throughout the season to provide food and nourishment for all pollinators. Pollinators also need water, so add a shallow dish filled with rocks to your garden to allow them to land safely and rehydrate.

Types of Native Bees

There are over 4,000 native bee species in North America, each with their own unique features that make them perfect for pollinating specific types of plants and flowers. In the Honeybee Centre's Community Bee Gardens, you may see some of these native bees:

Mason Bees (orchard bees)

Mason bees are active early in the spring so they pollinate early spring fruit. You'll spot mason bees from March to June.

Miner Bees

Miner bees are active early in the spring so they are especially effective at pollinating early herbs and fruit trees. You'll see miner bees in February and March.

Bumblebees

Bumblebees have fat, fuzzy bodies and a "bumbling" flight pattern. Their fuzzy bodies collect a lot of pollen making them very effective pollinators! You'll see bumblebees in March and April.

Volunteering and Donating to Help Bees

Sign up for volunteer opportunities through the Honeybee Centre. Opportunities include being a site host, helping out with garden maintenance and designing future gardens.

Generous support and donations have already been provided by the following businesses:

• Hunters Garden Centre: Soil and plants for all gardens
• Dragonlily Gardens: Fence design and building coordination
• Zboya Design: Honey label artwork
• City of Surrey: Space and volunteers