Bees are vital. Happy and healthy ones pollinate gardens; happy and healthy gardens make people happy and healthy; and happy and healthy people make happy and healthy communities. You get the picture that it’s really important to do what we can for bees. Julia Common certainly does. She’s been busy bringing this idea to Vancouver schools, social organisations and community groups with Hives For Humanity since September of last year. The organisation establishes apiaries in communities and through a mentorship program educates and supports these communities as they learn the art and practice of beekeeping.

H4H began with one hive in The Hastings Folk Garden, a small community garden a few doors down from the Insite safe injection facility on the 100-block of East Hastings. That number has since grown to 40 hives in various locations around town and into The Fraser Valley.  They are still looking for more locations, and that’s where you come in. Julia is currently looking for a few back yards in Strathcona/DTES/Mt Pleasant area to house some H4H bees. It’s a pretty sweet deal – literally – because you get a cut of the honey.

Hives for Humanity is also looking for a Honey House, which is to say an office/store front.  Julia’s dream space would be on the DTES somewhere in close proximity to the Hastings Folk Garden. It would have a back door/lane access for delivery of honey boxes; a concrete floor with a drain and/or kitchen facility; provide office space; provide storage space; be on the ground floor. 

If you can help out, please contact [email protected]. Otherwise, just help to spread the word!

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