Bees are vital contributors to the production of many agricultural crops. 
Beginning summer 2015, the science of beekeeping will be offered at Langara College with a new 36-hour, indepth beekeeping certificate program at their Vancouver campus. The Sustainable Urban Beekeeping Certificate Program aims to reinvigorate experienced beekeepers, entice new ones and offer the opportunity to take hive management and practices to another level. 
“The Continuing Studies division of Langara College has a long history of offering community oriented programming, especially in the sustainable development field,” said Daniel Thorpe, Dean of Continuing Studies. “This summer our new beekeeping certificate will add to that proud tradition.”
Being able to handle the bees is an important aspect to beekeeping, which is why the series of courses has over 12 hours of field experience. Students will have ample opportunity to spend time in the hives, building confidence and learning to manage bees. It is also ideal for those interested in learning more about pollination and pollinators. 
“Bees provide so much: honey, pollen, propolis, apitherapy, and through pollination, one out of every three bites we eat,” said program instructor Brian Campbell, founder of Blessed Bee Apiary. “The challenges of creating a sustainable beekeeping practice demand a knowledge-based management system and not one dependent on chemical controls."
Last May, Langara College installed two new honeybee colonies on campus. In recent years, Vancouver, Richmond, North Vancouver, Burnaby, and Delta have all changed their bylaws to allow beekeeping as it has gained in popularity in the region.
 For more information, visit  langara.bc.ca