Beekeeping in the Cowichan
T
he Cowichan Valley is home to many species of bees, but the most familiar one is the honey bee, an introduced species from Europe. Our moderate climate makes beekeeping relatively easy, compared to more continental regions of Canada. People keep honey bees to insure pollination in home gardens, orchards and berry farms, make local honey, “bee pollen” and produce wax which may be turned into candles or used to make hand creams. If you have a hankering to try beekeeping, come to a meeting of the Cowichan Beekeepers. This club is very supportive of new beekeepers and welcomes beginners. The club has an excellent lending library, including some DVDs on beekeeping topics. There is
no obligation to join. The next meeting is on March 20 7:30pm, at 5855 Clements St (the old Agricultural Office). Another way to get into beekeeping is to take the introductory beekeeping course offered by Vancouver Island University (Cowichan Campus) this March. This 8-session course eases beginners through honey bee biology and management practices. In early April, there is a field trip to a local apiary (bee yard) where all students can see, hear, touch, and smell the marvels of this social insect. March 17 Beginner Beekeepers Course VIU (Cowichan Campus) 250-746-3519
Is Vancouver Island Facing Food and Water Shortages? ‘Three Sisters’ Initiative Addresses Critical Sustainability Questions supplies here on Vancouver
W
ith the Pacific west coast in the midst of one of its driest winters three Vancouver Island organizations are taking positive proactive steps to help ensure the Island is prepared should there be food or water shortages this summer. “We’re concerned that California has just declared a drought emergency,” notes Gillian Butler, a Director of the Vancouver Island and Coast Conservation Society, “and that it’s so severe the State will not be distributing water to local authorities. We only have to look at Mt Washington’s ski closure in the Comox Valley to understand that the Island may also be facing water challenges this year.” “Along with a need to assess the health and availability of our ground and surface water
Island, there’s a need to be certain we are prepared if this dry spell continues,” adds Laurie Gourlay, president of VICCS. “There are implications for the Island’s food supply as well, especially since we are so dependent on imported products.” Barbara Ebell agrees. Working with VICCS ‘Buy Island’ campaign Ms Ebell, owner of Nanoose Edibles Farm, made a presentation to the District A Farmers Institutes of BC’s Coastal Region in mid-January. “Less than 3% of the $5.4Billion that Vancouver Islanders spend annually on food is Island grown,” Ms Ebell stated. “Food security is becoming a serious issue, and if weather conditions change here we may be in trouble.” The need for local governance
that will see watersheds protected and sustainability measures addressed are of particular importance on the east coast of Vancouver Island, according to Scott Akenhead, coordinator of the Vancouver Island Province initiative, and chair of VICCS’ Island Governance Committee. “We need to coordinate efforts across jurisdictions, and find ways for local Island governments to partner with private corporations who own the lands where our drinking water comes from.” With these challenges in mind the Island Roundtable on the Environment and Economy has just been registered as a society. “We will be reaching out this spring to identify business, academic and community leaders in all sectors and across Vancouver Island,” states Dorothy Woodhouse, a new IRTEE Director. “We’d like to have a dozen experts working together to assess and advise on our Island’s resource and
sustainability needs.” Kathy Wachs, a Director of the Chemainus Residents Association, has also joined the Roundtable Board. “Ideally the professionals on the ‘Inner Circle’ of the Roundtable will look at the choices we face as an Island, and recommend research and appropriate steps that will help Islanders. We’d like to see the Roundtable addressing immediate needs, along with fostering long-term goals for our growth and prosperity.” VICCS, the IRTEE and VIP initiatives see themselves working for the three-sided coin of sustainable development the economy, environment and social/cultural development in balance. These ‘Three Sisters’ will be looking to partner with organizations and institutions across Vancouver Island over the next six months, with the intent of solidifying working relationships for the benefit of all Islanders.
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