The potential of to create landscapes of abundance for

Rebecca Ellis PhD candidate, Western University Member, Rotman Institute of Philosophy • A multi-sited, multispecies ethnography about the relationship between urban bees (honey and native) and people based in and London (ON) Pollinator • Conducted 50 interviews with urban beekeepers, gardeners, and pollinator advocates People • Engaged in approx. 500 hours of participant observation in yards, backyards, community gardens, and an urban farm Some native bee advocates argue that honey bees belong in the moncultured landscapes of industrial agriculture, not in cities Decline of Wild Bees

Pollinators in Peril report by the Center for Biological Diversity

“Among native bees with sufficient data to assess, more than 50% are declining”

Industrial agriculture is a major threat.

Climate change is emerging as a major factor affecting all insects The role pollination plays within industrial agricultural landscapes harms both honey and wild bees. • A recent review paper indicated that 10 out of 19 showed some evidence of competition (Wojcik et al 2018) • Another review paper showed 53% of studies found negative interactions (Mallinger et al 2017) • Both reviews found most negative effects in natural areas near agricultural fields.

Native bees & Honey bees Bees thrive in cities

• Several studies have shown that some species of native bees in North America are thriving in cities (Tommasi and Miro 2004; Franke et al. 2009; Kaluza et al. 2016) particularly in urban gardens • Urban agricultural spaces can be sites of bee flourishing • Urban farms and gardens that incorporate may have some overlooked benefits for urban native bee flourishing Milky Way Community Garden, Parkdale, Toronto

• Began as a community garden in a vacant lot managed by a group of ESL students • Community land trust, part of larger anti-gentrification initiative • Gardeners primarily Tibetan refugees from farming backgrounds • No onsite hives but many bee visitors Black Creek Community Farm, North Toronto

• Non-profit farm in a highly marginalized neighbourhood • Community-supported agriculture program, food forest, pollinator gardens, children’s gardens, community gardens, and farmgate sales. • Onsite apiary managed by the Toronto Beekeepers Collective Urban agriculture landscapes tend to be diversified polycultures, with cultivated areas, naturalized areas, and weedy areas. They provide a wide range of foraging possibilities for both generalist and specialist bees. Mutual flourishing Both Black Creek Community Farm and Milky Way Community Garden make community outreach and engagement a top priority. The presence of honey and native bees in spaces in which people grow food and create community allows people to experience their flourishing as intertwined with bees. The special role of urban beekeeping

Urban beekeeping in agricultural landscapes tends to be small-scale, using organic methods.

Honey beesare “charismatic micro-fauna” who produce useful products.

The human/honey beerelationship allows for the development of curiosity and interest in other insects. Hobbyist beekeeping allows for sensual engagement with the world, what Ferguson (2018) calls “playful work”. This can help people to form deep attachment with insects.

In my research many urban beekeepers described the experience of beekeeping as deeply meaningful and emotional (delight, calm, amazement, fascination, joy, wonder).

The human fascination with honey bees can help to “re-enchant the world” (Federici 2019) Urban beekeepers often become public advocates of pollinators as they are more accessible to the public than entomologists or other researchers. Many urban hobbyist beekeepers begin to engage in pollinator- friendly practices.

Incorporating them into urban agriculture initiatives will often lead to increased awareness about pollinator needs Scarcity or Abundance?

Beekeepers, native bee advocates, and urban farmers can work together to create landscapes of abundance. These landscapes can be sites of multispecies flourishing desperately needed in an uncertain world. Special thanks to: • Black Creek Community Farm • Toronto Beekeepers Collective • Milky Way Community Garden gardeners • Greenest City

Contact: [email protected]