On May 31, 2017, Hazelton Place Retirement Residence installed a Honey Bee Hive “Sanctuary,” and is now recognized as a distinguished Toronto Urban Beekeeper. With the installation of our hive, we are providing the residents with a link to nature, right in the city.
Most importantly Hazelton Place is now engaged in an environmental initiative, and residents are very happy to share their home with the bees. In the age of environmental consciousness we have taken a huge step forward in recognizing the importance of protecting our bees. Not only will the residents enjoy observing the beekeeping methods but they will reap the rewards of fresh honey produced by the bees at harvest time.
Honeybees have a calming presence which has been an incredible addition to our efforts to nurture and inspire our residents living at Hazelton Place. To further engage the staff and residents we are providing workshops at the hive during the summer and will continue indoors in the fall extracting Hazelton Honey.
Since all of the maintenance of the hive is performed by the experienced Alvéole team there is very little work (and no concern for mistakes). Recent prospective residents and families who toured our facility found it remarkable that we would endeavour this venture but so far we have enjoyed it immensely!
The video here shows the Alvéole team helping Hazelton Place seniors get acquainted with their bee hive sanctuary.
- Leslie Westlake, Hazelton Place
