Reuse these and help the Bees

Happy belated ‘Don’t step on a Bee Day’

July 10 was International Don’t Step On A Bee Day. If you are like me, then this special day may have caught you by surprise, but do not dismay. Every day is a good day to celebrate these important insects and an equally as good day to practice reuse. So, why not do both today! Turn on some tunes by the Bee Gees or Sting, and hum along as you consider how you can reuse items in celebration of these essential pollinators.

Reuse Centre bee crafts.  Photo: Andrea

Reuse paper from around your home.

Use our blogger Ellen's tutorial for making paper, but add some bee-friendly wildflower seeds. Throughout the rest of the year you will create a buzz among your friends and family when you give gifts or share notes made from your finished product. These notes and tags are also the gift of a garden once planted. 🌷🌹🌻

A big ol' bag of shredded office paper.   Photo: Ellen Hanna

Save milk cartons, tin cans, and cardboard from your recycling.

Reuse these items to build a bee hotel that provides a much-needed rest for these buzzy critters and a home for their eggs through the winter. Or, watch this how-to video for a slightly more complex version requiring additional tools and pieces of wood. 

Don’t waste sticks, pine cones and fallen pieces of bark from parks and sidewalks in your area.

Go for a walk around your neighbourhood to observe the mighty bee in action while you collect items from nature for reuse in a bee hotel made from your gathered materials. For inspiration look at these beautiful creations. 

Odds and ends such as string, yarn, shoeboxes, paper scraps, paper towel rolls and artificial flowers still have use. 

Challenge yourself to avoid buying all new materials when getting creative with or building activities for kiddos. Rather, you can visit the Reuse Centre to find items you need for doing these Bee & Pollinator Activities created by the Edmonton Area Land Trust.

Lastly, reward yourself for a reuse project well done with a drizzle of honey in a cup of tea or on a piece of warm, buttery toast!  Until next time, swarm wishes!😉

Submission by Andrea (staff)