Life has been busy since the last post. This April, we finally installed the 'Bees Please' Mason Bee Box in the roundabout at Yew & 6th in Kitsilano. The design process was fast and furious, as we raced to meet Mother Nature's deadline (mason bees emerge from their cocoons late March / April). Thanks to Doug Patterson, Landscape Architecture professor at UBC, for his support and guidance.
Michael and I bought the materials, and built the structure from scratch. I'm glad that I wasn't aware of how much work this would be, because had I known, I probably would have chickened out, considering the pressure we were both under at school, etc. However, I have learned sooooo much from this experience. A huge thank-you to Michael, who is simply wonderful for helping as much as he did.
A big thank-you also to my friends, especially Kristen Frake, Charlotte Drache-Lambert, Christine Cooper, Christine Wilson, Sarah Sedo, Joey Rae and Dana Magee for their advice, plants, labour and support!
All of our hard work paid off. The project has been more successful than I had hoped for. The bees that I bought at Wild Birds Unlimited survived and emerged!
The 'Bees Please' box is in harmony with its surroundings, under the city's height restrictions, and most exciting of all, the bees have stayed!!!!! What's even more exciting is that the project has caught the attention of Mary Bennett of the Community Arts Council of Vancouver, who is planning a Bees Please II. There are discussions of a parade from my roundabout to hers, along 6th Ave, so stay tuned!
