Bee Walks

1.What is/are the name of your project(s) with Kits Village Vancouver? Please provide a description of the project(s) you are involved in.
I have hosted bee parties and bee walks - usually supported by Vancouver Foundation/Kits House funding.

2.How did this project get started and how long has it been going on for?
I wanted to get people involved in building (artistic) mason bee houses and install in my traffic circle garden. I got a grant of $400 for building materials, bee-friendly plants, refreshments and music.

3.Approximately how many people are involved in this project?
I have now led 5 walks and got invited to speak about "art + bees = community" at a couple of events. Through the Community Arts Council of Vancouver, I've participated in a project to create a video about ABC. I recently won the Green Streets prize for the most "bee and butterfly friendly garden" - I'm getting interviewed for their newsletter next week.
Probably 70 people have participated in walks (around Kitsilano to 4 bee sites). 100 more have heard me talk about bees and gardening. I also have a Bee Line group on facebook and blog at trafifth.wordpress.com

4.How often does this group meet?
Occasionally - I'll probably do 3 per year from here on in.

5.Where do you usually meet?
We meet at my home - outdoors - and then walk from there.

6.What are your project goals or vision?
make people more aware about bee issues and how easy it is to provide a house for mason bees.

7.How can this group be contacted if someone were interested?
maryinvancouver@gmail.com

8.What kind of skills/resources/backgrounds does the group have?
Knowledge of building mason bee houses; how to locate; what plants are particularly good.

9.What are your greatest challenges in this project?
People think I'm more interested and knowledgeable about bees than I am - I'm actually more interested in art and community. The bees just buzzed into my life.

10.Cool facts, bragging rights, interesting activities!
I got to know a great kids band called GoGo Bonkers through looking for musicians for the first bee walk. Since then they have gotten a couple of gigs through me and Iain wrote a bee song inspired by his involvement with us. Now he's probably going to participate in a benefit concert for Burns Bog at the Unitarian church where I'm involved.