bees toronto

Toronto is about to get an influx of wild bee sanctuaries

A new project is appealing to wildlife enthusiasts, amateur botanists and anyone with a garden to help welcome back and care for the over 300 species of bees that call Toronto home.

The BIMBY (Bees in My Backyard) Project from the David Suzuki Foundation hopes to help the bee population in the city by encouraging Toronto residents to install bee sanctuaries in homes or community gardens.

Residents would then work alongside researchers to monitor the bees from about May to October each year. 

Getting bees in your backyard won't be free, though. You'll need to pony up $125 that will help cover the costs of the "wild bee hotel" as well as data collection.

Beekeeping has become a popular activity around the city, with beekeeping workshops regularly offered and companies like Alvéole helping to make urban beekeeping more accessible.

Recently, a downtown real estate company adopted hives on the roofs of several condo buildings and produced batches of honey for its residents.

Although the population is on the rebound, a large number of bees have disappeared in different parts of the world due to climate change, widespread pesticide use and habitat loss.

For anyone looking to take part in the BIMBY project, training is available beginning April 18.

Lead photo by

@davidsuzukifdn


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

This is where Toronto mayoral candidates eat and shop and how they get there

Toronto now has the third-worst air quality in the world

A bite from this tick spotted in Ontario could cause a red meat allergy

Bank of Canada increases interest rate again

Wildfire ash may actually rain on Toronto area as air quality continues to deteriorate

Watch the Toronto Mayoral Debate Live

Video shows drivers flouting road rules on the DVP and people say it's peak Toronto

Several road closures mean a messy weekend ahead for drivers in Toronto