Aster Award Winner!!!

As some of you may or may not know our school has be part of an extensive 4 year study into Toronto's urban bee population. I know that some of you might be thinking "bees at a school, that's crazy!" but not to worry these aren't the kind of bees that will sting you.

PhD candidate Scott MacIvor has been conducting his research for 4 years now to find out which kinds of bees have adapted to Toronto's urban landscape and which ones are being choked out. Bees play a very important role as pollinators, without them our grocery stores, famers' markets, and gardens would look very different.

I wanted to write to his post for two reasons. The first reason is to thank Scott for having our school as part of the study and giving up his own time to talk with our students about his research and the importance of bees in our ecosystems. The second reason is to congratulate him on winning the Toronto Botanical Garden's inaugural Aster Award for his hard work and dedication! He will be receiving this award along side Edward Burtynsky, whom you my remember from my previous post.

WAY TO GO SCOTT!!!

nest box

Scott MacIvor enjoying the fruits of his labour (year 1)

If you'd like to know more about Scott's research click on the link below:
http://torontoist.com/2013/05/does-toronto-need-more-wild-bees/