Bees are set to pollinate Wildflower School.
An observation hive will be installed in Wildflower’s Kindergarten-Grade 1 class on a one-year pilot project through June, 2018. That was made possible after city council voted Tuesday to amend its animal control bylaw, which prevents honey bees from being kept within city limits.
Wildflower principal Naomi Ross was buzzing with excitement when she found out about council’s decision.
“We are just overjoyed,” said Ross. “I’m so proud of the kids that they recognized an issue in their community that they wanted to take action on. I think it is so awesome that they felt empowered to raise that awareness about the need for bees in our community and that they were supported by not only the school and their teacher and their parents but the local municipality as well.”
Laurryn Asbell’s K-1 class had performed a bee song last month for city council, which also heard a presentation from the Slocan-based Bee Awareness Society who will install the hive.
Councillors did not indicate whether or not the bylaw will be reviewed to allow for other hives in the city.
— With files from Bill Metcalfe.