Investing in our future of beekeeping

Calgary, January 8, 2010 €“ As the world'€™s attention has been focussed on Copenhagen and the global problem of climate change, Canadian students have been taking action to boost the health of the environment on their campuses, in their communities, across the country and beyond. Twelve exceptional post-secondary students who participated in Impact!: The Co-operators Youth Conference for Sustainability Leadership have received a total of $47,000 to support their sustainability projects. Among the recipients is Eliese Watson of Mount Royal University, who received a grant of $5000 for A.B.C- Apiaries and Bees for Communities.

A.B.C- Apiaries and Bees for Communities is dedicated to bringing small scale controlled apiaries to community and residential gardens. Through education and forums, members of the community will learn how to support ecological bio diversity and sustainability through the development of urban beekeeping. This March, A.B.C will be holding a series of educational events for Calgarians interested in urban beekeeping.

Impact!: The Co-operators Youth Conference for Sustainability Leadership was a four-day conference held in September that brought 180 students together in Guelph, Ontario to learn from and work with sustainability experts from business, non-governmental organizations and academia. The students developed recommendations for more sustainable practices in various sectors of the economy, and each made a personal pledged to work to create a healthier, greener world in the years ahead. The Co-operators created the Impact! Fund to support them in their efforts.

The passion and energy demonstrated at the conference was nothing short of inspiring,” said Kathy Bardswick, president and CEO of The Co-operators. “We wanted to make sure the participants could continue to make an impact well beyond the four days they spent together in the fall. With our financial support, we’re helping a dozen of the best and brightest do just that.”

More information about the conference and the other projects that have received funding can be found at www.impactyouthsustainability.ca.

A.B.C was fortunate enough to receive $5000 in funding though the Co-operators Impact! Fund for a second year- 2010/2011!

Thank you Co-operators for helping A.B.C bring sustainable educational opportunities to the community!