In-Flight Review - Helijet | Summer 2013

lIFR

IN-FLIGHT REVIEW

Official Fish Pacific salmon designated a provincial emblem

GRAND TOUR Intergenerational Travel

Buzz On: Beekeeping in B.C. summer 2013 ISSN 1916-5080 COMPLIMENTARY COPY

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IN-FLIGHT REVIEW

summer 2013 volUME 06 issue 02

DEPARTMENTS 06 IN-FLIGHT RE VIEW MAGA ZINE

GUEST EDITORIAL Seagoing Safeguards

Above: honeybees share their wealth at Tugwell Creek Honey Farm & Meadery.

By Kevin Obermeyer,

Publisher/Editor Garth Eichel

President & CEO,

Art Director Jacalin Jefferson

Pacific Pilotage Authority

Account Manager Garth Eichel Contributors Sue Denham

08

Garth Eichel

Bob Wright was a committed advocate of the B.C. sport-fishing industry. Oak Bay Marine Group photo.

By Sue Kernaghan

Kevin House Sue Kernaghan Robert Loblaw

12

Heath Moffatt

For information on display advertising opportunities, contact Garth Eichel at: garth@archipelagomedia.com Published by

1248 Woodway Road Victoria BC V9A 6Y6 Tel 250.380.3961 Fax 250.380.3962 www.archipelagomedia.com

FEATURE ARTICLE

16 Official Fish Pacific salmon are designated B.C.’s provincial fish emblem

Please send comments and suggestions to Garth Eichel, Publisher: garth @ archipelagomedia.com In-Flight Review (IFR) is a quarterly magazine published by Archipelago Media Ltd. for Helijet International Inc. All published material is the copyright of Archipelago Media Ltd. No part of this publication, in whole or in part, may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. The written and photographic material published in In-Flight Review does not necessarily reflect the views of the air carrier or the publisher. Information and images produced in the magazine are believed to be accurate and truthful, but the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors.

HELIJET CREW The Jet in Helijet

By GARTH EICHEL

Kevin Obermeyer

This issue of Helijet’s In-Flight Review magazine is dedicated to the memory of Bob Wright, founder of Oak Bay Marine Group, who passed away on April 17, 2013.

Bob was one of the great pioneers of the B.C. lodge and charter fishing industry. His innovative approach to wilderness fishing adventures during the 1970s and ’80s paved the way for many lodges now operating on the Coast.

A tireless, determined and vocal advocate for B.C.’s sportfishing community, Bob was a founding member of the Sport Fishing Advisory Board, the creator of the Sport Fishing Institute, and a commissioner on the Pacific Salmon Commission in the 1990s.

Bob believed actions speak louder than words. In keeping with that he donated $11 million to the University of Victoria in 2008 to create the Bob Wright Oceans and Climate Centre, with the goal of keeping oceans healthy for future generations.

His vision, foresight and creative spirit will be missed.

NEW & NOTABLE New Offerings

By Garth Eichel

14

INVIGORATE Intergenerational Travel

By Sue Kernaghan

28

EPICURIOUS Tugwell Creek Honey Farm & Meadery

By Garth Eichel

Advertising in In-Flight Review magazine does not indicate an endorsement by Helijet International Inc. or Archipelago Media Ltd. ISSN 1916-5080

ON THE Cover: Sockeye salmon return to the Adam’s River to spawn. Sockeye are one of several Pacific salmon species native to the West Coast. iStock photo.

Summer 2013 IFR 5

GUEST editoriaL

By Kevin Obermeyer, President & CEO, Pacific Pilotage Authority

Seafaring Safeguards Marine pilots protect B.C.’s pristine coastal waters Most people associate the word “pilot” with aviation, but the term historically belongs to mariners who possess the expertise and local knowledge to safely guide seagoing ships through hazardous coastal waters, and into congested harbours.

On the B.C. Coast the Pacific Pilotage Authority (PPA) is the federal crown corporation responsible for providing pilot services along the province’s 25,725 km of coastline, as well as the Fraser River.

By law, any foreign ship over 350 gross tons entering Canadian waters is

That’s why B.C. marine pilots are

required to have a licenced marine pi-

some of the most experienced and

lot aboard. That includes oil tankers.

highly trained mariners in the world.

Tankers are a contentious issue in

All have spent years navigating the

Above: a Victoria-based pilot boat returns to Ogden Point with a marine pilot who has just guided a “ro-ro” car container ship out to sea. Garth Eichel photo.

B.C. Now, with more energy projects

Coast; each undergoes rigorous selec-

themselves stewards of the environment

planned, emotions are running higher

tion and examinations; and there is a

— a point driven home by severe fines

than ever — the result being important

massive training regime that continues

and jail terms for those found responsi-

facts are getting lost amid the rhetoric.

from date of hire to retirement.

ble for even relatively small spills.

First, there is no so-called morato-

And while pilots regard all ships the

Still, some critics argue a spill on the

rium on oil tankers in this province.

same, there is heightened awareness

West Coast is inevitable if tankers are

Tankers regularly operate on the

around oil tankers. As an added level

permitted. That is simply not so. Tankers

Coast because ours is fossil-fuel econ-

of safety, tankers operating in Canada

have safely operated on the B.C. Coast

omy and B.C is a maritime province.

are required to be double-hulled, and

for over 50 years without incident. The

Our standard of living would drop sig-

when operating in confined areas they

PPA’s safety record speaks for itself: of a

nificantly without oil shipments. How

are tethered to powerful escort tugs —

total 12,144 vessel movements last year

long would Vancouver Island and re-

as many as four in some situations.

the agency had a 99.94% incident-free

All this is necessary because too

record. Granted, you can never say nev-

mote coastal communities survive

much is at stake. No one ever wants to

er, but with so many layers of safety the

This is not to say the PPA is pro-

ever see a repeat of the Exxon Valdez

chances of a catastrophic spill are close

tankers. Our mandate is to provide

disaster in 1989 when 40 million litres

to nil.

safe and efficient pilotage services to

of crude oil spilled into Prince William

all vessels over 350 tons, regardless

Sound on the Alaskan Coast. (It is

away; if anything, there are going to be

of cargo. We don’t have the luxury of

worth noting the vessel had no teth-

more in years to come. Fortunately,

choosing what vessels we serve; a

ered escort tugs, and no pilot aboard,

British Columbians can rest assured that

ship is a ship and our job is to keep

when it struck Bligh Reef.)

marine pilots ensure coastal shipping is

without delivery of fuel-oil?

it off the rocks.

IFR 6 Summer 2013

Indeed, marine pilots consider

Regardless, oil tankers are not going

as safe as it can possibly be.

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Down By The River Pier 73 Restaurant, located at the Delta Vancouver Airport hotel since 1973, is celebrating its 40th year in business, which no mean feat in the restaurant biz! Not content to rest

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New Rooms With a View Victoria’s Magnolia Hotel & Spa recently unveiled 64 refreshed guestrooms, offering a touch of modern elegance to a historic corner of the city. Featuring a lighter colour palate of taupe, smoke and pearl, the guestrooms have plush new carpeting, elegant furnishings and bedding, and artwork by local artists. The result is each room has a renewed lustre that retains the Magnolia’s traditional inspiration. magnoliahotel.com

Earthly Delights Want to mark a special occasion? Check out Idar, Victoria’s only custom jeweller. Idar Bergseth, one of the few North American goldsmiths still hand-forging gold, creates modern jewellery inspired by Nordic, West Coast and Celtic designs. One of his most recent works is this stunning necklace of lapis lazuli and 18-karat gold.

The beads are close to their natural state, but in the necklace they appear to float on the neck. Lapis lazuli has been sought after since ancient times for its intense blue colour; modern viewers say some stones look like photographs of the earth from space. Idar.com Summer 2013 IFR 9

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HELIJET CREW

Helijet Fleet

For information on aircraft fleet specifications and capabilities, please visit helijet.com/charter

By Garth Eichel

The Jet in Helijet Helijet’s Learjet operation provides additional aviation services to customers who need to go farther faster

Sikorsky S76A

Bell 206L3 LongRanger

Sikorsky S76C+ (BC Ambulance Service)

Learjet 31A

IFR 12 Summer 2013

“A lot of people don’t know we operate a jet,” says Ted Houston, Helijet’s Chief Pilot, FixedWing. “There is more to Helijet than helicopters; we have a history with turboprops and turbo-jets going back over a decade.”

The jet Houston refers to is a Learjet 31A, based at YVR Airport in Richmond. From here it is dispatched throughout Continental North America on duties ranging from executive charter and medevac, to repatriation flights for Canadians hospitalized abroad.

Houston flies these operations with three other flight crew: Capt.

Chris Lucia, Capt. David Paton, and First Officer Wilson Frost. All four have extensive experience, and when not flying they are training to a high standard, which suits them just fine as each relishes the opportunity to fly one of the fastest aircraft in the civilian market.

“It goes like stink,” says Lucia.

“It’s a very high-performance jet: it climbs like crazy, has a service ceiling of 51,000 feet, and cruises at mach 0.81. It’s good for the testosterone!”

Houston concurs: “If you need to be somewhere fast the Lear is the way to go.” He adds, “Many of Helijet’s clients have aviation needs in addition to what the helicopter

Above: Helijet’s Learjet pilots (from left to right) Capt. Chris Lucia, Capt. David Paton, First Officer Wilson Frost, and Capt. Ted Houston. Photo by Garth Eichel.

fleet provides. Our helicopters are efficient on short-distance flights, but if a customer needs the convenience of going farther and faster we can provide that, too.”In keeping with this, Helijet recently began providing summer-seasonal service to Port Hardy on Vancouver Island, and year round service to Prince Rupert on an exclusive charter basis, catering to select clients who require a faster, more convenient and hasslefree air transport solution.

Configured for six passengers, the Learjet is capable of travelling at speeds over 500 mph, making the flight from YVR to Port Hardy in only 30 minutes, and just over one hour to Prince Rupert.

“We’re delighted we can provide a new transportation service for our existing clients,” says Danny Sitnam, President and CEO, Helijet. “It’s onestop shopping for their air transportation needs.”

INVIGORATE

By SUE KERNAGHAN

The Grand Tour

Intergenerational travel grows in popularity

There was a time when children dreaded vacationing with

“The feedback is tremendous: kids are pleasantly sur-

sedentary grandparents. Generally, mom and dad would pack

prised at what their grandparents are capable of and interest-

their youngsters off to grandma’s and grandpa’s for a few

ed in doing; grandparents are often amazed at the bonding

weeks each summer just to get a break from the little brutes.

that happens.”

Kids would go stir crazy from boredom in a matter of hours;

The benefits flow two ways — or even three if you factor

grandparents would tire of the noise and disruption. Hate and

in mom and dad. Children have an exciting, educational expe-

discontent soon followed.

rience away from their regular routine, while grandparents

That was then. Today’s generation of grandparents are

get to see the world in a whole new way.

much more active and involved in the lives of their grandchil-

For example, Paris seems different through the eyes of a

dren. And as more and more Boomers ease into retirement

child seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time. And a visit to

there is a growing number of grandparents with the time, en-

Oxford’s Christ Church College casts Harry Potter and Narnia

ergy and money to go on life-affirming vacations with their

in a new light. When it comes to giving gifts, grandparents

grandchildren — with or without mom and dad.

know experiences and memories last a lot longer than toys

Called “intergenerational travel”, or “grandtravel”, this kind

and money.

of trip is one of the fastest growing segments of the vacation

Grandtravel is not just about edifying the wee ones,

industry, with tour companies offering more options for the

though. Fancy riding elephants in Thailand, sailing a felucca

grandparent-grandkid niche. Forget a trip to the zoo with the

down the Nile, or exploring a cloud forest in Costa Rica?

kiddies; today’s grandparents want to show their grandkids

Then perhaps small group adventure travel is an option. More

the world.

comfortable, and a tad pricier, than typical adventure travel

Among the first to do so was Road Scholar (roadscholar.

trips, these tours, with fewer than a dozen people, are geared

org), which has led grandparent programs since the mid-

towards families and grandparents. What is more, they take

1980s. This Boston-based non-profit, formerly known as

care of all the logistical planning, while developing spectacu-

Elderhostel, runs about 180 intergenerational trips a year,

lar itineraries that can accommodate companions of similar

ranging from river rafting in the Grand Canyon to exploring

ages. (Teen trips are an option).

coral reefs in Honduras.

According to spokesperson Despina Gakopoulos, intergen-

There are a range of such family trips offered by organizations such as G Adventures, Intrepid Travel, Adventures by

erational trips are one of Road Scholar’s most popular pack-

Disney, or the small, family-run

ages, attracting up to 8,000 travellers a year. The idea, she

Generations Touring

says, came from existing fans of Elderhostel’s education-

Company, to name

based trips: “Participants enjoyed the experiences we offered

just a few.

and wanted to share them with the younger generation.”

A number of factors are driving the trend says Gakopoulos: “Older adults are a lot more active than in the past and are interested in doing more. A lot of families don’t live near each other, so it’s an opportunity to get together and do something special. Some families even have a tradition: as each grandkid comes of age, they get to go on a trip with a grandparent.”

IFR 14 Summer 2013

Closer to home are family camping adventures. Family

While every major cruise line offers children programmes,

camps are just like summer camp, except adults come too.

a top choice is, not surprisingly, Disney. Soon to launch

Camp Pringle near Duncan on Vancouver Island runs a

its third Vancouver-Alaska cruise season, Disney Wonder

weekend event called Family Camp — Generations in

gets extra points for its adults-only spaces and, rare

August. It is open to any family, but grandparents and even

among cruise lines, activities that kids and adults can do

great grandparents are encouraged to join the games,

together.

skits, canoeing, ropes courses and intergenerational team challenges.

As Jennifer Johnson of Ottawa recalls, a family sea cruise was a trip to remember: “Our family took a three-

Also on Vancouver Island is Strathcona Park Lodge and

generation cruise in the Caribbean some years back, and

Outdoor Centre, which hosts cross-generational outdoor

it was terrific. Grandma in a wheelchair, but still feisty, my

programmes. The Centre’s Intergenerational Adventures,

parents, and us kids. A cruise was the perfect compro-

run in collaboration with Road Scholar, offer grandparents

mise of adventure and accessibility, and every stop let us

and their grandkids, ages 9 to 14, a week of rock-climbing,

choose what level of activity we wanted.”

zip-lining, hiking, and wilderness skills. The week finishes

Whatever the case, with so many intergenerational

with the ultimate kid adventure: a canoe trek and campout.

travel options available many grandkids may actually start

If roughing it with the young’ins isn’t your thing, then consider an all-inclusive multi-generation sea cruise.

asking to go on vacation with their grandparents. And who knows, maybe mom and dad will get invited, too.

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By Garth Eichel

OFFICIAL Pacific salmon are designated

fish

B.C.’s provincial fish emblem

Few spectacles in nature are more stirring

tant in so many ways, and on so many levels.

than the annual spawning migration of wild

Indeed, they are an integral part of the province’s

Pacific salmon from the open ocean back to the

history, culture, economy, political landscape and,

rivers and streams where they hatched.

most importantly, the wider natural environment.

This natural phenomenon matters to British

With this in mind, the B.C. Government an-

Columbians because Pacific salmon are so impor-

nounced on March 16, 2013, that Pacific salmon

Sockeye salmon make their way up the Fraser River to spawn. The Fraser accounts for over 50 per cent of all B.C. salmon production, and is regarded as the largest single production system in the world. iStock photo

IFR 16 Summer 2013

had been designated the official provincial fish

Nations, they are often seen as indicators of

emblem of British Columbia.

overall ecosystem and wildlife health, and

“There is no symbol more iconic of British

important to environmental sustainability.

Columbia,” said Environment Minister Terry Lake.

Pacific salmon are also a significant economic

“Not only are Pacific salmon integral to the cul-

driver in B.C. due to commercial and recre-

ture, well-being and livelihood of B.C.’s First

ational fisheries.”

Summer 2013 IFR 17

Keystone Species Several species qualify as Pacific salmon, but the most notable are Chinook, coho, pink, chum and sockeye. (Steelhead and cutthroat trout are also conPinks are one of the most abundant salmon species on the West Coast. Sue Denham photo.

sidered Pacific salmon species.)

While there are significant differences between each, Pacific salmon are all salmonids that are spawned in fresh water, but spend most of their lives at sea in saltwater before returning to freshwater rivers to reproduce.

Fossilized records in B.C. suggest this anadromous life cycle goes back as much as seven million years to the Miocene epoch.

Driven by ancient instincts, these beautiful determined

Brown bears are just one of 130 animal species that depend on salmon for sustenance. iStock photo.

creatures face myriad predators and obstacles during their perilous return to spawn throughout the province. Death is the inevitable outcome, but so is life.

Decomposed salmon carcasses provide essential nutrients for fertilized eggs, as well as the wider natural environment. Countless species of flora benefit from nitrogen and other nutrients released into riparian soils where salmon spawn.

Moreover, Pacific salmon are an essential food source for a variety of animals, such as birds,

A commercial fishing boat hauls in salmon on B.C.’s North Coast. Robert Loblaw photo.

IFR 18 Summer 2013

bears, and other fish.

The West Coast Fishing Club is no ordinary fishing destination. Located on the farthest shore of Canada’s west coast in Haida Gwaii, we don’t simply offer an authentic wilderness opportunity, but rather a five-star luxury experience with memories to last a lifetime.

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The tie that binds

on commercial salmon fishing. As

Humans have long relied on pacific

with First Nations, these communi-

Salmon for sustenance. First Nations of

ties came to identify with Pacific

B.C. depended on annual salmon runs as a

salmon.

primary source of protein. Central to their survival

Like so many other natural resources,

and way of life, Pacific salmon became an integral part

salmon fishing became a pillar of the provin-

of First Nations culture in B.C., reflected in art, song,

cial economy. Unfortunately for all concerned, intensive

dance and legend.

fishing eventually took its toll. By the 1950s and ’60s pro-

The English navigator and explorer Capt. James Cook

vincial salmon catch was on the decline. Making matters

saw this first-hand when he sailed the West Coast in the

worse, pollution and large-scale urban development signif-

18th Century. Cook reported enormous salmon returns

icantly impacted vital salmon habitat on the South Coast.

and, soon after, Europeans began settling in B.C. to share in nature’s bounty, which seemed inexhaustible at the time.

Still, little was done to address these growing problems until the mid-1980s. By this time Pacific salmon had become a political issue with various interest groups, busi-

Trouble beneath the surface

ness sectors, levels of government and divergent fisheries

Large-scale harvest of salmon began in the mid 19th

— First Nations, commercial and sport — all voicing differ-

Century with the introduction of commercial fish canning

ent, and often disagreeing, perspectives. Making matters

operations along the West Coast. Many of these canneries

worse, there was little funding available to do anything

evolved into coastal communities that became dependent

meaningful about declining salmon populations.

Where t he B IG

fsh a

!

re

H a i d a G wa i i

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Community volunteers take part in a stream clean-up on the Goldstream River near Victoria. Heath Moffat photo.

Turning the tide Matters improved in 1987 with the formation of the Pacific Salmon Foundation, an independent non-profit organization aimed at saving salmon species by generating public awareness and involvement, raising funds, and supporting conservation and habitat programs. Moreover, the Foundation has functioned as the voice of salmon in B.C., working with the private sector, community groups, assorted stakeholders, and various levels of government — federal, provincial, municipal and First Nations — towards salmon enhancement.

Much has been achieved in this regard by the Foundation and the partner groups it supports. For the first time in decades there is cautious optimism that the future need not be dire for Pacific salmon.

Indeed, many Chinook and coho populations are thriving on the mid- and north coast of B.C. Still, there is cause for concern on the South Coast. Salmon returns are highly variable each

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year and some populations are critically low, most notably wild coho in the Strait of Georgia.

As well, uncertainty prevails in managing salmon fisheries where competing user groups are often cast as winners or losers. What is more, urbanization on the South Coast continues to threaten habitat as the interests of humans bump up against those of nature.

Then there is the big known unknown of climate change. No one can say for sure what effect it will have, but the trend of earlier spring snow melts, combined with hotter and drier summers, is fundamentally altering the province’s rivers and streams. Out at sea ocean temperatures are rising, Above: A volunteer weighs salmon fry at the Howard English Hatchery near Victoria.

Heath Moffat photo.

and areas of low oxygen are expanding. The list goes on.

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But perhaps the greatest challenge facing salmon is a lack of public conviction.

Without foresight, leadership and willingness to make hard choices there is scant hope for the species. This is significant because salmon are an indicator species of the overall environment. As they go, so go natural ecosystems.

To be sure, giving Royal Assent to the designation of Pacific salmon as an official provincial emblem won’t ease any of these pressures, but it is more than a symbolic act.

It is a valuable reminder that salmon are important to British Columbians, tying us with our past, each other and

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Sport Fishing at the Fore A recently published B.C. Statistics report recognizes sport fishing as the largest creator of economic activity in all fishery sectors in B.C. and accounted for revenues of $936.5 million (freshwater and tidal) in 2011.

“We’ve always thought that sport fishing creates the greatest value for each fish caught,” says Owen Bird, executive director of the Sport-fishing Institute of B.C. “It’s nice to see these important facts set out in a detailed economic analysis.”

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Summer 2013 IFR 25

KEVIN house illustration

Salmon Stamp Revenue Returns to B.C.

By Dr. Brian Riddell, President & CEO, Pacific Salmon Foundation

March 21, 2013 was a bright day for British Columbia’s wild Pacific salmon, the recreational fishing industry, and B.C.’s community salmon volunteers.

After two years of discussions, the 2013 federal budget committed to returning 100 per cent of income from the Salmon Conservation Stamp to B.C. Since 1996, the Pacific Salmon Foundation has received $1.00 from the sale of each $6.00 adult stamp purchased, and $4.00 from each stamp purchased by a juvenile under 16 years of age. The new increase in funds will mean approximately $1 million more per year for community salmon conservation projects funded through the Foundation.

While the Foundation led the discussions, the success of the proposal was a result of the support from several groups.

Members of the Harper Government caucus provided key support including, MP Andrew Saxton who championed the proposal, as well as MP’s Randy Kamp, Mark Strahl, Richard Harris and Minister James Moore. The Sport Fish Advisory Board wrote in support of the proposal, and 20 business leaders in B.C. signed a letter of support directed to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.

B.C.’s community volunteers, however, were the heart of the proposal’s success.

Their ability to leverage funds by an average of 10:1 for each dollar from the stamp provided a convincing business case. Of IFR 26 Summer 2013

course, the proposal couldn’t have been successful without the support of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and staff of the department.

The increased funding will help the Foundation meet all of its current requests for community projects involving habitat restoration, smaller-scale enhancement facilities and production, community planning and education.

But as the Foundation looks to diversify its programs to better meet the needs of Pacific salmon, it fully expects the demand for funds to increase. Diversification will include restoring Chinook and coho production in the Strait of Georgia, broadening activities to support sustainable fisheries and identifying the future needs of the recreational fishery in B.C. Key programs that support the recreational fishing industry could also benefit from salmon stamp income, such as the Certified Tidal Angling Guide program, which establishes best standards and practices for B.C. fishing guides, including knowledge of local species and the environment. Stamp income could also ensure funding for coast-wide catch monitoring and sampling to better evaluate fisheries decisions, or provide funding for research issues that hold back recreational fishing opportunities.

To fully appreciate the scope of challenges facing Pacific salmon, one need only look at the 75 recommendations made

in the recent Cohen Commission Sockeye Enquiry report. Some have suggested that increasing the stamp fee would be a logical next step to help address these challenges; especially considering the reduced role of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

The Foundation is committed to continuing dialogue with salmon user groups and stakeholders to solicit input about the best use of salmon stamp funds, especially any proposal to increase the value of the Salmon Conservation Stamp.

The Foundation recognizes its role as administrators of stamp funds. It will continue to direct funds to efficient projects and to provide leadership in defining current issues. The Foundation’s work with the stamp is certainly not done, but the future is certainly much brighter.

Above: Artist Bill Munsie signs copies of the 2013-14 Salmon Conservation Stamp, which features his winning image. Munsie’s salmon paintings have been featured on the stamp a record six times. Photo courtesy of the Pacific Salmon Foundation.

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IFR 28 Summer 2013

By Garth Eichel

Buzz On Tugwell Creek Honey Farm and Meadery exposes the not-so-secret life of bees The droning hum of busy bees fills the air as dark flecks swirl around my head. Robert Liptrot, co-owner of Tugwell Creek Honey Farm and Meadery, lifts the lid off a hive, revealing a mass of honeybees crawling about inside. He casually reaches in with his bare hands and uses a metal tool to pry out a frame filled with glistening honeycomb. In doing so he accidentally drops the tool on a few dozen bees that react with terrifying ferocity.

“Yeah, they get really mad when I do that,” says Liptrot with casual concern.

I’m not so carefree. Every muscle in my body is taut as I brace for the worst. I resist the urge to run.

Fortunately, the bees soon settle down and get back to the business of making honey. Once I relax I’m able to peer into the hive for an up-close and personal look at one of nature’s great wonders.

Inside the hive thousands of industrious black-and-tan honeybees are filled with a sense of purpose, converting pollen into amber honey inside geometric combs. In the course of doing so they have been responsible for cross-pollinating tens of thousands of local plants, many of which we depend on for food.

Incredibly, they accomplish all this in a short lifespan of six to eight weeks.

Notwithstanding this magnificent achievement, the bees are utterly indifferent to my presence and appreciation, which further fills me with a sense of awe and tranquility about the natural order.

This, in part, explains the fascination many people have with bees, and why more and more are taking interest in amateur beekeeping like never before.

“It’s quiet, pleasurable work,” says Liptrot. “ It gets you into the moment and can be very relaxing, provided bears aren’t pacing around nearby.”

He adds that beekeeping satisfies in other ways, too: “It appeals to all ages on a variety of levels.

“Humans have been keeping bees for millennia so there is a social connection with our ancient ancestors.

“People are also more aware of environmental concerns like bee colony collapse, and how critical bees are to pollination and our food supply.

Apiarist Robert Liptrot inspects a hive at Tugwell Creek Honey Farm and Meadery. Photo by Garth Eichel.

“The local food and health movements have also highlighted the value of small-scale beekeeping and honey products.

“Others see it as a cottage industry that can provide affordable honey and a bit of money.

“Then there are those who are just interested in learning about bees.”

Liptrot appreciates this better than most. He became fascinated with bees at the age of six when he started helping a neighbor in Vancouver keep bees, rewarded for his efforts with pieces of fresh honeycomb.

He further explored the secret life of bees at university, eventually earning a Masters Degree in Entymology. Since then he has made beekeeping and mead-making his life’s work with partner, Dana LeComte.

The pair purchased Tugwell Creek Honey Farm in 2003 and established Western Canada’s first meadery the same year. Since then they have won numerous awards for their hand-crafted meads, and their artisan honeys are highly Summer 2013 IFR 29

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prized by local foodies. Liptrot doesn’t take credit for his wares, though: “I don’t make honey; I just steal it from the bees.”

The benefits don’t flow one way, though. There are few other bee advocates as committed as Liptrot. He is happy to share his wealth of knowledge with budding apiarists, and to that end he teaches amateur beekeeping at Royal Roads University each year, while actively promoting bees through social media, and participating in apicultural research projects.

He is also sounding the clarion call for changes to agricultural practices. He is concerned the effects large scale agri-business and certain commercial pesticides are having on bee populations.

“Nature never intended for bees to be commercially transported in large numbers to meet the pollination needs of large-scale agriculture. We’ve already seen that in California where bee populations are collapsing.” He adds, “Bees are an indicator species. They are the canary in the coal mine and it’s difficult to know what might happen if they disappear.”

Fortunately, Liptrot’s dire warnings are easier to take with a glass of mead. To that end, we retire to Tugwell Creek’s tasting room where he pours a flight of mead wines.

We start with a Harvest Melomel 2011, which is pale rose in colour, fruity, floral, light-bodied and slightly sweet. A perfect porch-pounder for a hot summer day.

Next I try the Original Sin Apple Quince Cyser 2012, a curious blend of honey mead and apple cider that is pale gold in the glass with a slight spritz. It is generous in aromas of wild flowers and botanical herbs, with sweet honey and tart apple on the palate.

Rounding out the line-up is a Wassail Blush — Sweet Berry Dessert Mead 2011. Amber in colour it has pronounced smells of honey, wildflower and oak barrel effect, manifesting as flavours of vanilla, brown spice, butterscotch and caramel.

Feeling the need for mead, I purchase a bottle of each, along with three different honeys — fireweed, wildflower and field blossom. My, how sweet it is!

Note: Tugwell Creek Honey Farm and Meadery is located at 8750 West Coast Road, just west of Sooke. It is open for tastings and self-guided tours, Wednesday through Sunday, 12 pm to 5 pm, between May 1 and September 30; weekends only, from 12 pm to 5 pm, between October 1 and April 30.

IFR 30 Summer 2013

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