We are buzzing with excitement to share the news that we have partnered with Alvéole, the urban beekeeping company, to provide much needed protection for honey bees. Professional beekeeping services like Alvéole have installed thousands of hives at companies and schools across North America since 2013. Their trained professionals are experts in sustainable beekeeping, teaching, and beekeeping safety. As a result, they have their safety processes and procedures down to a fine art.
Photo courtesy of Brookfield Properties
One of Brookfield Properties’ top priorities is sustainability, and we are constantly implementing solutions to lower our environmental impact. Urban beekeeping brings people together around an awe-inspiring experience through interactive, thought-provoking conferences and activities that allow for deeper conversations about sustainability. This sustainable solution inspires people and organizations to do more for the environment, with the added benefit of producing ultra-local urban honey.
Photo courtesy of Brookfield Properties
Towards this effort, Brookfield Properties installed two beehives on October 20th near The Acre at Allen Center. This location was selected as it creates a safe environment for the bees, keeping them away from animals and elements that could disturb their hives.
As part of our partnership with Alvéole, we will be hosting special educational workshops for our tenants which will provide opportunities to have deeper, more meaningful interactions with the honey bees and answer any questions you may have about beekeeping and the hives. For our tenants, please look to your Axiis app for ways you can join the process and attend upcoming workshops.
Below you will find a set of “Bee Facts” that you may find of interest.
Bee Facts
Wide flying radius
Honey bees fly up to three miles (five kilometers) from their hive to gather food. That means a hive project won’t lead to an increase in bee activity on or near a property nor to any additional exposure for individuals with bee allergies (less than 1% of the population).
No human interactions
There’s only one entrance to a hive, and bees never fly behind it, so to mitigate the chance of unwanted bee interaction, we ensure the hive entrance is pointed away from any human activity and rooftop machinery.
No interest in human food
Honey bees are vegan. They feed on nectar and pollen, which means they aren’t attracted to human food or activity in any way. With an approximate 30-day lifespan, their primary drive is to bring as many resources to their colony as possible.
Naturally docile
You’ll notice that our beekeepers wear little to no protective gear. That’s because we work with an Italian bee species (Apis mellifera) that is specifically bred for its calm and docile nature. This makes our honey bees ideal for urban beekeeping, and a great educational tool.
Bees aren’t wasps
As opposed to wasps, bees will never sting unless their life is under threat (e.g. running away with a frame that houses their queen). Honey bees do have the ability to sting. However, they lose their stinger, a part of their abdomen and die instantly if it’s utilized.
Follow the beehives live via Allen Center’s myhive site.
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