Health Canada wakes Up: Proposed ban of Imidacloprid
Looks like Health Canada has finally realized how horrible Imidacloprid is for our pollinators. The pesticide has been linked to the bee population decline for a while now, but there has only been partial bans in certain areas of Canada. However, according to recent news reports, Health Canada said it intends to phase out almost all uses of Imidacloprid and will re-evaluate the use of two other insecticides. In 2013, Health Canada published a report linking neonicotinoid use in corn crops to bee deaths in corn-growing regions of Quebec and Ontario. Two years later, it announced it would be re-evaluating the pesticide's use. But as of recently it looks like we are kicking these nasty thangs to the curb sooner than expected! Though it’s only the beginning, it seems Canada is taking a major step in the banning the harmful substance. We will keep you in the loop on how this movement progresses!Sweet Makeover: Artist Fixes Damaged Objects By Placing Them in Beehives
Canadian artist, Aganetha Dyck, has created quite the buzz with her honeycomb makeovers. Through work with beekeepers, scientists, and hundreds of bee collaborators, Dyke has created wax-covered objects, that not only look cool, but also have a deeper message. The collection includes items such as Edwardian figurines, helmets, shoes and sports equipment. The project was inspired by the honeybees’ methods of construction and ability to mend their hive's cracks through the creation of honeycomb, wax and propolis. By choosing relatable items, Dyck is able to show the relationship between the natural world and humanity; in particular, the dependency we as a society have with different species. Without the pollinators go, especially our lovely friends the bees, a vast majority of our word would be gone. Dyck's work highlights the natural world that we often take for granted and what it can be used to create.
