MacEwan University
IN-26: Innovation C

Urban Bee Keeping supports pollinators, specifically honey bees, whose populations are declining at an alarming rate due to environmental challenges including habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. The project includes six rooftop Flow hives, and several ground-level bee hotels. Bees pollinate a significant amount of the food we eat, up to 70% according to a recent UN report, and are essential to biodiversity and plant reproduction. Keeping bees at MacEwan University provides habitat for these pollinators, thereby encouraging food security and raising awareness of the challenges we face in our changing climate. Honey produced is sold by Campus Services and the Office of Sustainability to further support the project. Presentations are held during the spring/summer/fall months to highlight the project, share information and answer questions. Research has been done (Earth Common Journal) to look further into the benefits of using the new Flow Hive system in an urban environment. Overview - Producing the honey onsite satifies criteria for deeply embedded sustainability: - Ecological Integrity – There are numerous environmental benefits including providing habitat for local pollinators, pollinating local food crops, adding to the biodiversity of the Edmonton region, reduced GHG emissions and materials from no transportation, commercial processing and packaging - Economic Vitality – The honey provides a source of revenue for MacEwan and reduces costs for purchasing honey - Social Equity – Providing learning opportunities for the community, students, staff and faculty will ensure that the resource is shared equitably and others can learn and contribute to the project. - Personal Well-being – Honey is a very healthy product that can be used for a variety of uses including replacing simple sugars.