Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 61.29
Liaison Bonnie Dong
Submission Date Aug. 31, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

MacEwan University
IN-26: Innovation C

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Kerstyn Lane
Engagement and Outreach Advisor
Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
The Urban Beekeeping Project

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome that outlines how credit criteria are met and any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation:

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.


Which of the following impact areas does the innovation most closely relate to? (select up to three):
Campus Engagement
Food & Dining
Grounds

A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise or a press release or publication featuring the innovation :
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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