Métis Nation of Alberta: Native Bee Conservation

Native bees have pollinated our gardens, meadows, and crops long before the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) was introduced to North America in the 1600s.

However, native bees are at risk from a number of different threats such as habitat loss, invasive species, disease, pollution, and a changing climate. In fact, of the 300+ known species of bees in Alberta, 40% are ranked from vulnerable to critically imperiled.

To address this, in 2022, the MNA Environment and Climate Change Department launched the Native Bee Conservation Program.

"Thank you so much for letting me be a part of this program. Pollinators, especially bees, are our future and I am always looking for new ways to draw them to my yard and garden." - Bee Kit Recipient

Unlike the better known European honey bees (Apis mellifera), Alberta's native bees are different in a few key ways:

Most of Alberta's native bee species are considered solitary, living alone and without a queen or hive. Social native bee species, like Bumble bees (Bombus spp.), rarely exceed a colony of 200 individuals. Meanwhile, European honey bees are considered social, and can establish a colony of over 60,000 individuals.

Alberta's native bees have evolved and adapted over thousands of years to our climate and environmental conditions. Most of Alberta's native bees are considered specialist species as they rely on specific habitats and pollinate specific plants to thrive. In contrast, the European honey bee is considered a generalist and can feed and establish itself on many different plants and habitats.

"Our children loved learning about different types of bees and wildflowers." - Bee Kit Recipient

Every spring, the MNA Environment and Climate Change Department advertises the Native Bee Conservation program and opens online registration for MNA Citizens that are interested in participating.

MNA Citizens register online for a randomized draw to receive a native bee conservation kit. The kit includes a bee nesting box, instructions and maintenance guides, Alberta native wildflower seeds, and educational information on native bees in Alberta (provided by the  Edmonton & Area Land Trust ).

MNA Citizens participating in the program are asked to place the bee nesting box on their property, plant native wildflower seeds, and report back at the end of summer to let us know what bees (if any) used their nesting box.  

The program first launched in 2022 and provided native bee conservation kits to 234 MNA Citizens across the province. The initial launch was extremely popular with over 500 Citizens registering to take part in the program.

A survey was sent out in the fall to recipients, and from those, 121 reported back. From these surveys we heard:

• 67% of Citizens reported seeing bees utilizing the wildflowers grown from the wildflower seeds the included in their kit.
• 48% of Citizens who set up their bee boxes reported tubes/tunnels were capped by a resident bee at some time.
  • Capped bee nesting box tubes/ tunnels were found to be capped with a variety of different materials, including mud/sand, plant material, spider webs, wax, and leaves.
  • As different bee species use different materials for capping, we can assume Citizen's bee boxes accommodated several types of native bees.
• 98% of Citizens planned to set up their bee nesting box again the following spring.

"Love this program and the information collection behind it. Thank you so much for providing this opportunity..." - Bee Kit Recipient

This year, the program expanded, offering Citizens an opportunity to win one of 500 bee conservation kits through a randomized draw.

The conservation kits were shipped in early May, with the intent of having them delivered in time for Citizens to set up their nesting boxes in early June.

In the fall, participating Citizens will be sent a follow up survey to report back on their experience and the types and number of bees that used their nesting box.

As long as Citizens remain interested and express concern for native bees, we intend to continue offering programs to support native bee conservation in Alberta.

There are many ways you can help native bees! The best possible way to help native bees is to provide habitat and additional food sources for them.

Missed out on getting a Bee Conservation Kit? The Edmonton & Area Land Trust has information on how you can make your own!

While native wildflowers work best, ornamental flowers can also provide benefits to some native bees.

Consider planting a variety of wildflowers with different blooming periods. This can ensure there are flowers available for your resident bees all season long.

Planting the same wildflowers together in a group can help make your garden more efficient for our foraging bees. Some examples of native wildflowers in Alberta are white geranium, wild vetch, brown-eyed susan, and wild bergamot— but there are many more!

Native bees often nest in a variety of materials. Consider establishing varying habitat across your yard and garden as some native bees nest in bare ground such as soft, loose soil. Other native bees will nest in the pithy or hollow stems of overwintering or dead plants as well as in the softer material of rotting wood. Leaving dandelions to flower, waiting to rake leaves in the fall, and leaving branches, rotting stumps and leaf litter in your yard are great ways to attract bees to your home.