Students take home their houses and cocoons, ready to put them in a spot with morning sun.
Photo: Janelle Park

As bee populations are struggling, students learned about their local bee pollinators, built a habitat for them, and released the bees at two city parks, the local EcoGarden, and at the homes of students and teachers.

“Local bees have it hard with habitat loss, pesticides, disease and climate change,” shared Wildsight Educator Janelle Park. “After thinking through multiple options for an EcoStewards project, the students decided to support the mason bees, because they wanted to help a species in decline.”

A Mason Bee after release. Photo: Janelle Park

Right now, over a dozen Wildsight EcoStewards projects are taking place across the Columbia Basin, where students work together to create a project to protect and learn more about their local environment. Guided by the passion and interests of each class, EcoStewards deepens both student and teacher connections with their wild backyards.

“I really enjoyed learning about all the different bees. Our bee project matters because we are helping the bee population,” student Seamus explained.

This multi-day, student-led project included a visit from local beekeeper Deb Davidson, allowing students to see a beehive and learn more about beekeeping.

“Increasing local native bee populations and habitat is both attainable and rewarding,” explained Park. “Because of this project, local vegetable and flower gardens will be better pollinated and the students have had a unique learning opportunity where they can continue to follow the mason bees throughout the seasons.”

Wildsight EcoStewards projects are made possible thanks to the Columbia Basin Trust, the Government of British Columbia, Fortis BC, Teck Coal and Columbia Power. For more information on ecostewarts click here.