Billion dollar food industry, trying to avoid being stung

There is cause for concern as Canada’s bee population is being put to the test. Bees in Canada have been dropping like flies. Bees are the driving force behind the production of over a third of Canada’s food source, and are directly responsible for over $1 billion dollars in revenue.

Crops, vegetables, canola, and even part of the oxygen we breathe correlates from the trees and plants pollinated by our stinging friends. Bees pollinate the crops that produce the fruit that goes into the wine we drink on special occasions. So, having no bees will put a real sting in your love life.

Bees are vital to our food chain and may become the cause of a missing link in our ecosystem. Something we can’t live without. The bees have been hit catastrophically with losses of 45 per cent over the last 15 years. Alberta is home to Canada’s largest bee population, which dropped 36 per cent in the last year.

The bees are facing several obstacles that must be overcome to ensure their survival and ultimately, ours. The loss of bees to our food chain is a price we don’t want to pay.

Since its arrival from Asia in 1989, the Varroa Deconstructor has been a thorn in the side of bees across the nation. Since that time, the external parasitic mite has been directly responsible for mortality rates of 15-18 per cent … Until now. The mite has grown in strength and has developed a resistance to all the methods that beekeepers have thrown at them, leaving experts puzzled about what to do. In November of 2006, beekeepers started to notice an abnormal behavior where most of the worker bees would leave the hive to pollinate and didn’t return. This led to the collapse of the bee colony in less than a week. This condition is called CCD or Colony Collapse disorder, and has raised major concerns with scientists not only in Canada, but around the globe.

The most troubling fact is that scientists and bee experts have no idea how the ladder problems can be solved. Including a government that doesn’t seem to understand how grave the crisis is.

What would happen if Canada lost over a third of its food production?

For many, that’s a terrifying thought.

Take a hike!

There really are some places you will want to see with both eyes and legs. My top three spots to take a hike starts with a 75 km trek along Canada’s West coast trail. The trail, named the best hike in the world by Besthike.com since 1999, takes you on a journey along a rugged, picturesque coastline that requires a high level of fitness to complete. The trail takes you through dense forest, exposed shelves, and bogs with thick patches of deep mud. Whether ascending or descending wooden ladders or using logs to cross over rivers, the West Coast Trail will capture your spirit for adventure. Bears, sea lions, cougars, orcas, gray whales, eagles, and baby seals catching some rays on the beach are some of the wildlife that can be seen. Hikers must conquer their fear of heights as cable car suspensions must be used to cross over some rivers and streams. Sand and pebble beaches, headlands, old growth trees, streams, and waterfalls are some of the pleasures that can be experienced in your quest of Canada’s West Coast Trail.

Next stop … Milford Track, New Zealand.

The trail attracts over 14,000 visitors to complete the 54 km trek each year. Deep valleys created by glacier run-offs and alpine flowers can be seen while walking along un-even ground through alpine passes. Wade through flood water up to a meter deep or pass through deep beach forest while taking in panoramic mountain views and breathtaking wildlife on your way to Sutherland Falls. At 580 meters in 3 leaps, it’s the world’s third largest waterfall. Take a good raincoat and don’t expect a Sunday stroll in the park, and what you will end up with is a lasting memory of one of the few remaining natural wilderness areas. Milford Track is pure wilderness with wild weather. It is described by many who take on the challenge as, “the finest walk in the world.” It truly shows the raw beauty of New Zealand.

I’m thinking Arby’s … Actually my next hike takes us out of touch with fast food restaurants. Borneo is a land rich in rainforests with its extensive cave systems and clear sky views. Headhunters and exotic wildlife will at times make you feel like a prisoner on the third largest island in the world.

Journey through Clearwater cave … Home to three million bats and the world’s longest underground river.

It’s all part of taking in the most biologically diverse place on Earth. See Macaques, Gibbons, and venture into the only remaining natural habitat for the Orangutan. You won’t need a jacket as the temperature stays at 27 degrees Celsius all year long. Though, you may want to bring a rain coat as the ground fills up with 2900 millimeters each year. Borneo is the place to experience true peace and tranquility. You won’t have to look for trailheads … Just pick a direction and start walking.

Kyle Yamada named an All-Star

Lethbridge college student Kyle Yamada, has been named to the All-Canadian soccer team by the Canadian colleges athletic association. It is an honour to be recognized as one of the top 10 soccer players in Canada, says Yamada.

This was Yamada’s second year playing for the Kodiaks after he blew out his knee three years ago in his debut for the Kodiak soccer program.

Yamada is a Calgary native who drives home twice a week to play professional indoor soccer for Calgary United in the Canadian Major Indoor Soccer League. The CMISL is affiliated with the Professional Arena Soccer League in the United States.

Known for playing as a forward, if he does not see much of the ball early on, his competitive nature has him dropping back into the centre of the mid-field to help out his teammates. “I like to score goals,” says Yamada.

He scored six goals in 11 games in helping the Kodiaks to a first round playoff loss to N.A.I.T. Kyle Yamada hopes the Kodiaks can draw from this years experiences and take its game to nationals next year.

Kyle Yamada, 25, has been playing soccer since the age of four and has always had a competitive spirit about everything he does.

Yamada was also one of the five finalists for the CCAA player of the year award.