It isn't easy being a solitary bee. Due to a loss and fragmentation of habitat this important part of our eco-system is rapidly declining, a frightening reality as they pollinate more than 80 per cent of flowering plants, fruits and vegetables. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is stepping up to protect and support our little winged friends by creating bee hotels: a collection of nesting materials such as wood, twigs, fallen branches, soil and pith-filled holes designed to attract lost and solitary bees by replicating their natural nesting sites allowing the bees to breed, lays eggs and seek protection from predators. “The Fairmont brand has a long history of being a sustainability pioneer,” says Alexandra Blim, vice president, public relations, FRHI Hotels & Resorts. “This project to protect pollinator bees is an extension of our ongoing efforts to support bees of all kinds.” Part of a larger partnership with Burt's Bees and its annual WILD FOR BEES campaign, the two companies, with the help of Sustainable.TO Architecture + Building and Pollinator Partnership Canada have teamed up to construct five sustainable bee hotels, four in Toronto and one in Guelph, with the first launching at the Fairmont Royal York and plans to expand to more hotels next year. The bee hotels are situated alongside the Royal York's rooftop garden that also houses an apiary of six honeybee hives.
fairmont.com/promotions/pollinator-bees
burtsbees.ca/wildforbees.html
