Bees and Pollinators: Are they Essential to Our Food Supply? (Part 2 Q&A)

Pollinators are insects and animals that carry pollen from one plant to another. These include honey bees, wild bees, wasps, butterflies, moths, ants, birds and more. In recent years, most people have become aware that a large portion of the foods we eat — fruits, nuts, vegetables, and herbs — depend on pollinators to reproduce. Pollinators also increase the yield of our crops, improve the quality of our produce and are an essential puzzle piece in keeping our growing population fed. We’ve also been hearing over the last few decades about threats to pollinators, with special attention on the plight of the honey bee. Should we be worried about bees? If so, about what, exactly? And is there anything we can do about it? The speaker will open our eyes to the breadth of diversity of bees, and contend that they are worthy of our consideration besides the economic benefit we humans derive from them. Moreover, she will describe what it would take to make Lethbridge a bee paradise. Speaker: Chelsea Sherbut Chelsea Sherbut is a beekeeper, and has kept honey bees commercially and recreationally with her husband, Jeff, for the past 8 years. She completed her Bee Master certificate through the BC Ministry of Agriculture in 2012. In 2016, Chelsea helped start the Lethbridge Bee Enthusiasts, which is an informal club that meets monthly to share their passion for bees. Although she is most familiar with honey bees, she is an admirer of all other kinds of bees and believes native bees are especially worth our attention and conservation efforts. Outside of her bee interests, Chelsea works as the Volunteer & Fund Development Coordinator for Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization, is a passionate volunteer for the Canadian Red Cross and Environment Lethbridge and loves to play disc golf and hike. She is a graduate of Simon Fraser University where she minored in Dialogue (School of Communication). Moderator: Erin McIlwraith Date: Thursday, January 25, 2018 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (below The Keg restaurant) 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive South Cost: $11 lunch (hearty soup & bun, desert & coffee/tea) or $2 coffee/tea. RSVP not required