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Local Beekeeper Looking For Dryden Council Support

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A local honeybee keeper is hoping the City of Dryden comes on board to help the bee population flourish in the area.

Reagan Breeze addressed Council at a virtual meeting Monday discussing the importance of his campaign.

Breeze asked for a proclamation for Dryden to be declared a “Honeybee Pollinator Safe Community.”

“A lot of it was really positive in nature and it’s not going to cost anybody in the city any money what’s so ever. We’re going to beautify the city by having maybe different species of plants that are deer resistant, that they don’t really like at all.”

Breeze says one request was an easement of a by-law of “vegetation growth of 20-centimetres” for the months of May and June for those with Honeybee support signs.

He says allowing vegetation growth on City property will provide vital weeds, dandelions, butter cups and devils paintbrush for the hibernating bumblebees.

“To get that source of nectar to start them off on a really great start for the summer to come so that we still can have bees and pollinators for years to come.”

Breeze also educated Council on the ‘Junior Bee’ program, the benefits honeybees have to our existence and his roof top beekeeping program that is in place in both Dryden and Kenora.

He notes the feedback from Council was encouraging and he’s excited to work with Public Works moving forward.

Other suggestions:
-Discuss the way that Public Works may or may not use pesticides to water our communities flowers and plants.
-Discuss the benefits of planting flowering trees in our community instead of the Manitoba Maple that is used.

To hear more from Reagan Breeze, visit the Audio link below.

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Audio/Video: Local Educational Push To Support Bees

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A Dryden beekeeper is making a buzz about the important role bees play in our daily lives.

Reagan Breeze has launched a public awareness campaign that will include educational sessions with local organizations and elected officials.

Breeze was a guest on the CKDR Morning Show Wednesday and he is hoping to see some changes to municipal laws for next year to help the bee population flourish.

“We have a by-law. Our grass can only be about 20cm in length. What I have set for is, I would like to have for next year, for May and June which is pretty vital seasons for the honey bees, bumble bees and pollinators, to have a sign in your front yard saying you want to support bees. So that you’ll be able to grow your lawn to a substantial amount just so that the flowers, that are so vital at the very beginning of spring, allow them, the pollinator, to actually get a bee.”

Breeze says he is hopeful municipal officials change the by-law on property standards.

“Through the month of May and June, if this goes forward, we’re hoping our elected officials will support this, your lawns will be able to grow where dandelions, clover, the double paintbrush will be able to grow. Those are natural species of plants that support us.”

Breeze has created signs stating “Excuse me. I’m allowing my weeds to grow so the bees will show.”

He has posted several videos and stories on social media on the importance of bees and he’s asking people to share that information.

Reagan Breeze has been in the bee and honey business for about 20 years.

You can hear more about his campaign, the importance of bees, misconceptions and other facts by visiting the Audio link below.

Reagan Breeze also shared some video on his expertise:

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Bees Important In Day To Day Life

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Dryden’s Ann Puddicombe says bees play an important part in the food supply and ecosystem in northwestern Ontario.

She made a virtual presentation to members of Dryden Rotary Wednesday.

Puddicombe says bumblebees are great pollinators and are necessary for many of the foods we enjoy in day to day life.

She notes bumblebees will only sting you if you seriously agitate them.

Puddicombe says there are various other bees in our area including honey, carpenter and leaf cutter bees.