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Over the past year, bees have begun to disappear in droves, and a supposed quote from Albert Einstein has highlighted the severity of the situation.
“If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, then man would only have four years of life left.”
Although it is uncertain whether or not Einstein really made that statement, it does raise an important question: How important are bees to humans?
Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) is the mysterious die-off of a colony of bees. It is widespread in Europe and the U.S., but so far, it is not something that we have had to worry about in B.C.
The Canadian Council of Professional Apiculturists, who study beekeeping and pollination, state that although more bees died off over the winter than normal this year, it should not cause alarm.
Ron Lin, president of Honeyland in Pitt Meadows, blames the higher overwinter mortality rate on a longer, damper winter.
He says that contrary to popular belief, bees do not hibernate, but constantly vibrate to stay warm, so they need an adequate food supply (honey) to keep up their energy.
“The key to a healthy colony is having good bee keeping management,” says Lin. “Beekeepers keep hives strong.”
Having a strong colony means better survival through the cold winter months. Although many of the workers die off in the winter, the queen should survive.
Lin recently traveled to Alberta where it is believed that the long winter, and not CCD, is what claimed so many bees this year.
But the cause of CCD is unknown, and that, says Lin, is the real problem.
“If we knew what is was than we would be able to deal with it.”
Everything from disease to cell phone radiation has been blamed for the bee disappearance.
Mites have also been named as a concern. But a mite infestation is not a death sentence for a colony. With proper management, pests can be kept under control, which is what is going on in B.C.
“Bees make a huge contribution. As we know, bees pollinate; so no bees, no fruit.”
In the U.S., some beekeepers travel across the country renting out their colony’s pollination services. This practice, says Lin, is what may be contributing to the spread of disease and mites.
“We can’t rely on wild bees anymore because they are dying of disease. (Domestic) honeybees are important for pollen distribution.”
Ed Nowek, president of the Canadian Honey Council, says that CCD is definitely a cause for concern.
“It seems like the areas of highest loss are adjacent to the U.S.”
He says that Canada is usually only a year of two behind the States when it comes to disease and pest infestations, but they still import queen bees from the U.S., Australia and New Zealand.
But there is a new piece to this puzzle, and it may be a key in solving CCD.
Nowek says there is a small hive-beetle that may be creating a fungus that causes the hive to be undesirable to bees.
“The bees abscond the hive and do not return, and even other bees do not want to go near these hives to raid their honey.”
As for the keepers that rent out their colonies for pollination, Nowek says that it’s possible that they may be spreading the mystery more.
“Migratory pollination helps increase the rate that the pests are spread.”
The Canadian Honey Council is taking proactive measures, and is organizing an upcoming strategy meeting in Winnipeg.
“I wouldn’t go as far as Einstein,” says Nowek. “But since honeybees are responsible for pollinating forty per cent of the food crop in B.C., the result (of CCD) could be catastrophic.”

There is a lot of “thin-spiration” out there for young people.
The media commands an infantry of underweight women and overly toned men that are armed with messages that influence the way youth view their bodies.
When a young person begins to think negatively about their self-image, their nutrition habits may be ripped from the guidance of parents and doctors, and placed in the hands of celebrities and models. This is one way an eating disorder may develop.
Although it does not look as though this bombardment of “thin is in” will ever end, there are resources out there that work to prevent possible unhealthy choices before they begin.
Jessie’s Hope Society is a non-profit organization that provides prevention training to teachers, parents, community members and health professionals.
“This program focuses on young kids because prevention starts early,” says Heather Quick Rajala, Program Coordinator. “There is so much outside influence that bombard us with messages every day.”
The organization has developed a program called “Celebrating EveryBODY,” which focuses on building natural strengths, as opposed to fixing problems. The program is not gender biased.
“Knowing that healthy minds make healthy bodies is the foundation of the program,” says Rajala, a mother who has been with the organization for two years. “When they understand the basic principles behind the program, they understand themselves better.”
“Celebrating EverBODY” educates adults in the school system, parents, counselors and community members who are involved with children regularly, such as boys and girls club leaders.
“The health of the helper is a key component,” Rajala says. “It’s important that their state of mind is calm in order to access the child. The helper needs to clear their mind and focus on positive helping.”
Jessie’s Hope Society is working with the school district to integrate a similar program into the curriculum. Rajala says that the program can be relevant to other issues beside eating disorders, like addiction and alcoholism.
Professionals working directly with children ages 9-11 in the Maple Ridge area are encouraged to book a space for “Celebrating EveryBODY,” happening on May 26 and 27, or June 14, 19 and 21. A parenting workshop called “Connecting with Your Kids” is taking place June 19, and more workshops are planned for the fall. Rajala, Program Coordinator, can be reached at 604-466-4877 for questions or booking. The society’s website is www.jessieshope.org.
“The sun is always there, it just needs to come out,” says Rajala. “Once you tap into that sun, you have the ability to take control of your life.”

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It’s time to end the stigma that is attached to mental illness.
That was the message that over 75 people came out to support on Friday for the 10th Annual Walk-A-Mile for Mental Health Awareness, held during National Mental Health Week. The walk was put on by the Rainbow Club, which is a local organization that provides a supportive atmosphere for the psychosocial rehabilitation of people with mental illness. The club is a division of Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Community Services.
The festivities began at Memorial Peace Park in Maple Ridge, with balloons, music and guest speakers. After the speakers, an instructor led the crowd in light warm-up exercises to prepare them for the route, which went down 224th along Lougheed Hwy, to the Clubhouse at 11907 228th St.
Sandy Craig, supervisor of Mental Health Services, was one of the coordinators of the event.
“It’s a magical day. I feel proud and privileged to be a part of it,” said Craig. “Rainbow Club offers so many services, from vocational to social, and it helps it’s members live independently. We get 25-30 people a day.”
She said that although people may have their own reasons for coming out for the walk, they are all there to support a common cause.
Maureen Martin came from Chilliwack to walk with her grandchildren and support her daughter who works for mental health services, and Candice Kutyn, who is bipolar, came out to raise awareness.
Kutyn is a mother of two who volunteers at the Maple Ridge Self-Support Centre.
“I walk to help reduce the stigma that is attached to mental health,” said Kutyn. “Mental illness is a journey, and you have to work through recovery.”
Kutyn said that media play a role in stigmatizing mental illness by only reporting on negative stories that come from people with psychiatric disorders.
“You have to take that and realize that it may happen, but that is not all that it is. I’m functioning, and I’m fine.”
After the walk, the crowd converged on the clubhouse, where a band played and food was served.
The band, which plays classic rock covers, was comprised solely of members of Rainbow Club. Jeremy Huntley is the lead vocalist; he also has schizophrenia.
“We jam pretty regularly,” said Huntley. “And we do about two shows a year. We still don’t have a name for the band yet, though.”
Huntley has been an active member of the Club for a year. He helps with chores, acts as tour guide and visits there five days a week.
“The main focus here is rehabilitation. And it’s a very good place, the staff are great.”
The clubhouse is a hub of activity, and boasts a pool table, kitchen and computer lab. It is open from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with evening programs offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Call 604-467-7165 for more information.
“It’s more than a place to hang out,” said Huntley. “It’s a place to get involved.”

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Jim Nielson has always had a passion for anything with two wheels.
He lived for mountain biking and road racing, either bicycles or motorbikes; but it was that same passion that almost took his life away.
“At the time of the accident I had booked a mountain biking trip in Costa Rica,” says Nielson. But instead of taking the trip, he was fighting for his life.
Nine years ago, Nielson was in a motorbike accident that left him with a five percent chance of living, and no use of his legs.
“I had to be revived three times,” says Nielson. “They found my watch 200 feet away from the accident scene; but it was still working because it was a Timex.”
Going from enjoying an active lifestyle to relying on homecare workers to support him through the most basic life functions was the new reality for Nielson, who is now confined to a wheelchair. He speaks about his accident readily and openly, and Nielson enjoys Pitt Meadows because it’s “nice and flat.”
On Tuesday afternoon, Nielson and other event organizers inspected the route that the participants of an upcoming event will travel. They were checking for accessibility and comfort. Grates, curbs and puddles are areas of concern, as something that those on foot take for granted can be a tough obstacle for someone in a wheelchair.
The 5th Annual Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion Event is held in cities across Canada, and focuses on a 2 kilometre course that circles downtown Haney, and can be wheeled or walked.
“It’s been a growing effort,” says Event Chair Bruce Wilson. “We are hoping to double our participants this year. It’s all about awareness.”
Nielson has been the third highest fundraiser for the event in Canada for the past two years, and is hoping to be number one this time.
“But I don’t care if I’m third or three-hundred and third,” says Nielson. “I just want to see the money put to use in a positive way.”
The course starts at the Memorial Peace Park, continues along Dewdney Trunk to 227th, and then back to the park along Lougheed.
“The city just upgraded 227 St.,” says Wilson. “And it is supposed to be 100% wheelchair accessible.”
Wilson was inspired to help with this event by Rick Hansen.
“He is my hero,” Wilson says. “Both he and Terry Fox were ordinary guys living ordinary lives until they were faced with adversity. Then they took the experience and turned it into something positive.”
Along the test-run, Nielson points out the obstacles that demonstrate how difficult it can be to navigate a wheelchair; broken glass and slight inclines pose harsh challenges.
“Until you are sensitized to it, you don’t realize how many people there are out there in chairs,” says Wilson. He hopes that the event can become as wellknown as the Terry Fox Run.
“Young people don’t realize that they are not invincible,” adds Nielson. “These events can help raise the awareness of not only people living with these injuries, but also prevent others from taking unnecessary risks,”
The Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion Event takes place Sunday, June 10th. If you are interested in participating, or pledging a participant such as Jim Nielson, you can visit www.wheelsinmotion.org.