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Elphinstone: Bee-ing friendly with neighbours

Important issues were discussed at the March Elphinstone Community Association Meeting.

Important issues were discussed at the March Elphinstone Community Association Meeting. BC Timber Sales has been meeting with adjacent owners about Reed Road Forest and the SCRD will be writing to them again about the community’s wish to preserve this forest. The Area Planning Commission has also expressed concerns. The fine for short-term rental violations has been raised from $150 to $1,000 per violation and in response to a question about bylaw enforcement, CAO Dean McKinley said that is part of the planned new FTEs.

As part of his discussion about the upcoming budget, McKinley discussed how the postponement of infrastructure spending over the years means that a substantial number of new projects are needed, adding to the budget increases this year. Of particular note are water and waste. There were many questions and concerns about water. One resident wondered why an expensive reservoir, using the same overworked watershed (Chapman) is still being considered when there are better, less expensive options. 

If you drive or walk along King Road (named after the King family – see Chronicles, Aug. 15, 2019 issue), you may have noticed a cluster of beehives behind a high wire fence (to keep the bears out). Master beekeeper Kathleen Suddes overwinters 18 of her beehives there and the day I dropped by, she told me that she’s about to move nine of them now that spring has sprung. She places hives from Langdale to Wilson Creek, including two other locations in Elphinstone. 

Suddes is an encyclopedia of knowledge about bees, both honey and bumblebees, and she is passionate about these intelligent creatures. For years I hadn’t seen honeybees in my yard and then suddenly they began showing up. It was due to Suddes’ hives; she had initially placed some near Pratt Road, and a few years ago moved them over to King Road, good for overwintering. Happily, our yard lies about a kilometre (as the bee flies) from there and so they’ve become welcome guests! 

We discussed the challenges facing both honeybees and bumblebees. Suddes recommends leaving wild undisturbed sections in your yard where debris can pile up as this provides great bumblebee habitat. Most of our yard consists of this type of landscaping, so happily we are blessed with bumblebees, although I haven’t seen one yet this year – and always feel nervous about them until I see my first one. Bees will thank you with their friendly buzzing presence, if you don’t spray pesticides, fungicides, glysophate, etc. They really don’t want to sting you (honeybees die if they do); but will if they feel their nest is being threatened. The first bumblebees you see are the queens out foraging before they go underground to lay their eggs, so treat them royally! 

I noticed Suddes’ beehives were surrounded by crocuses. She pointed out how the flowers were perfect for honeybees and each lovely flower was indeed occupied. Honeybees, unlike bumblebees, have short tongues so plants like lavender (not out yet), berry and fruit flowers are preferred. Fall is a harder time for finding nectar and that is when I see them collecting around oregano that I allow to grow wherever it will. Plant a bee-friendly yard and you will be well rewarded. 

Please pass along community news at: elphin@coastreporter.net