April 20, 2023
Seneca News
The buzz that is helping build more sustainable campuses
Seneca’s bees do more than make honey
It’s easy to forget about bees — one of nature’s smaller creatures that have a profound role in food production and biodiversity — but they make a big buzz at Seneca.
Over the past 10 years, Seneca’s beekeeping has grown from five hives to 60, and the yellow-and-black striped insects have been busy.
“The bees are what started a conversation about sustainability, which led to many different things,” said Don Forster, Head Beekeeper and Director, Seneca Office of Sustainability.
They’ve raised awareness about the environment, inspired Seneca 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’s raised concern because they are one of the most dominant pollinators. About 35 per cent of the world’s crop production, valued at more than $780 billion annually, depends on pollination, according to the David Suzuki Foundation.
When Seneca 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 Seneca home, it also provides beautiful natural areas that everyone can enjoy.
“The plan eliminates pesticides, improves biodiversity and cuts down on maintenance,” said Umer Kasuji, Director, Capital Projects & Campus Planning. “Plus, it’s good for the bees.”
Seneca 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 Seneca campuses. Meanwhile, about $12,000 of the honey profits have gone to student financial aid.
It’s 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 Seneca community can work with a colony through to the fall harvest.
“I think we all have a role to play in sustainability,” Mr. Franceschetti said.
April is Earth Month – a time when people around the world come together to appreciate nature, focus on sustainability and climate solutions. Many environmental activities culminate on Earth Day, April 22.