Alberta Bee News
October 2021
Year of the Beekeeper
Q A &
Q: What’s a typical day like for you? A: We each have a roster of hives spread around the city
that we look after. Most days we’re visiting hives to perform inspections, make adjustments when needed, and make sure our bees are healthy and happy. We also deliver educational workshops to our clients about not only their honeybees, but native bees and other important pollinators, urban agriculture, candle-making, and honey extraction.
Alveole Owners: Alex McLean, Declan Rankin Jardin, Etienne Lapierre Profile by: Sean Elizabeth Higgins, Beekeeping Team Manager, Alberta Location: Global! But my team is based in Calgary. Social info:@alveolebuzz
Q: What is the most satisfying part of being a beekeeper? A: So many things! Opening up hives after a long winter to
Q:
How did you get involved in this sweet industry – what’s your story?
find them alive and well is always satisfying. That moment in a season where all your colonies are queenright and pest-free is a great feeling also!
A:
We all come from backgrounds in biology, environmental sciences, education, communications, and other similar fields. Personally, I took a fantastic course from Eliese Watson of ABC Bees originally just out of curiosity. I was doing ecology work with Parks Canada at the time. Wanting to incorporate more of a social and community focus into my career, I ended up at Alveole training to become a full-time beekeeper!
For our team, we love watching our clients get super excited about their bees. Watching someone go from the first magical moment when they hold a frame, to becoming a passionate advocate for all pollinators and their habitat, is an amazing thing to be a part of. 8
