Edmonton International Airport welcomes up to 50,000 bees to the Airport City Sustainability Campus

JUNE 17, 2024 (Edmonton, AB) – Edmonton International Airport (YEG) has welcomed new partners to airport lands, and these ones also have wings! One honey bee hive and two BeeHomes for wild bees have been added to the offerings at YEG’s Airport City Sustainability Campus. At the height of the season, the hive will contain up to 50,000 bees!

“Biodiversity thrives where bees buzz, and their pollination supports overall ecological richness. Our bee hive program at YEG will empower our natural ecosystem, contribute to our sustainability goals and foster a healthy environment.”

– Marion Chivot-Legris, Director, ESG and Sustainability Strategy, Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
Bees are an important pollinator and are essential when it comes to food security. As pollinators, bees play an important role in all aspects of the ecosystem, however, the welfare and number of bees worldwide are in decline due to various threats, including climate change. Through pollination, bees are responsible for one-third of our food production, and YEG is taking steps to bring awareness and support to the local wild bee populations. YEG will also receive 100 jars of honey as part of the program.

Thanks to a partnership with Alvéole – a Certified B Corporation – and the Alberta Beekeepers Commission, this project will help YEG to promote biodiversity and work toward a greener future.

“By integrating a bee program into YEG’s innovative sustainability practices, we aim to enhance biodiversity and raise awareness about the critical role bees play in our ecosystem. Edmonton International Airport’s forward-thinking approach to environmental stewardship aligns perfectly with our mission to foster connection between people and nature. Together, we’re bringing a greater environmental awareness to the broader community while supporting wild bee populations.”
– Alex McLean, CEO, Alvéole

“Honey bees provide a key ecosystem service, contributing to food biosecurity and biodiversity. In Alberta, 173 beekeepers carefully manage over 300,000 honey bee colonies that directly contribute to valuable pollination activities while at the same time producing over 33 million pounds of pure, local Alberta honey a year, making Alberta the largest honey producing province in Canada. Through partnerships with organisations like YEG, the ABC is able to continue to support the Alberta beekeeping industry to ensure we create an environment where bees and their keepers thrive.”

– Connie Phillips, Executive Director, Alberta Beekeepers Commission (ABC)
As part of Pollinator Week 2024, YEG is proud to be doing its part to explore tangible initiatives to support biodiversity around the airport and raise awareness of environmental issues. To learn more about YEG’s ESG commitment, please visit flyeia.com/ESG.
About Edmonton International Airport

Edmonton International Airport (YEG) is a self-funded, not-for-profit corporation driving economic prosperity for the Edmonton Metropolitan Region and beyond. YEG is Canada’s fifth-busiest airport by passenger traffic and the largest major Canadian airport by land area, generating an economic output of over $4.9 billion and supporting over 21,000 jobs. A global leader in supporting innovation in the aviation industry, YEG’s Airport City Sustainability Campus is fostering advancements in areas such as hydrogen and drone delivery. YEG approaches equity, diversity and inclusion by creating an Airport for Everyone.
For more information, please visit: flyeia.com, follow @flyyeg on X, Instagram, LinkedIn or Facebook.

About Alvéole

Alvéole is a Montreal-based company that brings nature-based solutions to commercial buildings in 60+ cities worldwide. The certified B Corp and 1% for the Planet member helps connect people to nature with solutions such as honey bee hives, wild bee homes, and biodiversity monitoring. Alvéole helps clients achieve their sustainability goals through community engagement, green building certifications, and using technology to track their positive environmental impact. Visit alveole.buzz to learn more.

About Alberta Beekeepers Commission

Alberta Beekeepers Commission (ABC) has served the interests of Alberta beekeepers since 1933. Today, ABC supports over 170 producers, works with industry and other partners to innovate and grow, and funds research to keep honeybees healthy, and the Alberta beekeeping and honey industry sustainable.