Campus + Community Day of Service - Bee Garden

Saturday started bright and early with the students meeting on Campus to make their way over to the Bee Garden in south Urbana together. We were joined by FAA 291 students as well as many Landscape Architecture students. Upon arriving to the site, we were briefed by Maggie Wachter, the resident beekeeper on practical ways to keep from being stung, as well as general bee etiquette. It was quite informative. Before we had arrive Maggie had moved the hives off to the side of the work area so we could do much of the work without worrying about the bees. Unfortunately due to bee behavior, many of the bees returned to one of the areas where the hive previously was located, and made working in that area difficult. Despite this, we got our work underway and began by digging up the edges where the beds were to be located, as well as digging out bases for the hives. Some students prepared the paver base where the hive would sit to prevent beetles from accessing the hives, while other students worked to outline the beds. When these tasks were finished we broke for lunch. After lunch we all go to work laying paper beneath the areas that were to be mulched, and then hauling wheelbarrows of mulch over to the garden. The students put together an efficient system with some students shoveling mulch, some transporting mulch, and others spreading the mulch. This process went quite quickly. Our final task which we could not complete was to till and plant the flower beds. We were unable to complete this due to the muddy nature of the ground. It would be quite difficult to plant and the plants may not take root the way they should. Finally we moved the hives back to the original locations allowing the bees to carry on normal life. Some of the bees seemed a bit disoriented, however for the most part they acclimated quite well. All in all we had a great day of work, and students were afforded to opportunity to get their hand dirty, as well as work with their peers, community members, and faculty making for great conversation.