Upcoming Events
Pollinator Walk and Talk- St. Albert Botanical Park
Join us for a Native Bees 101 presentation & Pollinator Walk on Wednesday, June 24, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the St. Albert Botanic Park.
This free, family-friendly event is offered in partnership with the City of St. Albert and the Alberta Native Bee Council and is a fantastic opportunity to explore the fascinating world of native bees.
This free event is an opportunity for residents to learn all about the diverse range of native bees, how to identify them, where they live, what they eat and what you can do to help them. We’ll be taking a walk in the St. Albert Botanic Park and along the Sturgeon River to discover lots of bee-friendly flowers and catch and identify some local pollinators. Light refreshments will be provided during the event; however, attendees are also welcome to bring a lunch.
Bee Box Workshop - St. Albert
Help make your yard a more friendly place for our native bees by building your very own bee hotel! You’ll also get the opportunity to learn more about bumble bee identification and reporting tools you can use to help conserve these important native bee species, like how to participate in our Bumble Bee Box Monitoring Program!
This workshop will be presented by the Alberta Native Bee Council.
Native Bees 101 Webinar with EcoBrooks
Join us for a FREE WEBINAR on June 25th at 6pm exploring the remarkable diversity of Alberta’s native bees and their vital role in healthy ecosystems and food systems. Learn what native bees are, what they look like, and how to tell them apart; learn how they differ from honey bees, their life cycles and nesting habits, and how they survive Alberta’s climate. We’ll talk about conservation challenges, reasons for decline, and why bee diversity matters - and, most importantly, how you can support native bees in your community!
Bee Box Workshop - Brooks, Alberta
Bumble bees are among the most recognizable native bees in Alberta, but they’re in trouble - many of our bumble bees are declining, and the main cause is because of habitat loss. Urban centres are especially lacking in nesting resources for bees, and that’s where you come in! This Bumble Bee Box Monitoring Program teaches you about our native bumble bees, how to tell them apart, the risks they’re facing, and how to build and maintain nest boxes for bumble bees. “Bee” part of this province-wide citizen science monitoring program, take home a nesting box to put in your yard, and do your part to help save the native bees!
This workshop will be presented by the Alberta Native Bee Council and hosted by EcoBrooks.
Exact Location TBD
Bee Box Workshop - Lesser Slave River
Help make your yard a more friendly place for our native bees by building your very own bee hotel! You’ll also get the opportunity to learn more about bumble bee identification and reporting tools you can use to help conserve these important native bee species, like how to participate in our Bumble Bee Box Monitoring Program!
This workshop will be presented by the Alberta Native Bee Council.
Time and Location TBD
Bee Box Workshop - High Prairie
Help make your yard a more friendly place for our native bees by building your very own bee hotel! You’ll also get the opportunity to learn more about bumble bee identification and reporting tools you can use to help conserve these important native bee species, like how to participate in our Bumble Bee Box Monitoring Program!
This workshop will be presented by the Alberta Native Bee Council.
Time and Location TBD
ANBC's Native Bee Fest
Get Ready for the ANBC’s First-Ever Native Bee Fest!
The Alberta Native Bee Council (ANBC) is thrilled to announce our first Native Bee Fest, a day-long celebration dedicated to these extraordinary pollinators. This event is designed to be flexible and engaging, allowing you to immerse yourself in the world of native bees for the entire day or simply drop in for the activities that pique your interest.
We’ll kick things off with a hands-on workshop where you can build your very own bumble bee box, something that not only provides them a home but also serves as a monitoring station for our Bumble Bee Box Monitoring Program.
In the afternoon we will get into the fresh air for a guided pollinator walk. This is a fantastic opportunity to catch and get a closer look at some live insects with some local experts that will help you learn how to spot different species.
To round out the festivities, we’ve curated a series of bee-related talks. These sessions will cover a variety of essential topics, from conservation efforts to managed bees. If you're planning on coming for the day, don't forget to pack a lunch!
Registration Details
For the Bumble Bee Box Workshop please use the Eventbrite signup. The price for the workshop is $50 for members (discount code sent via email), and $60 for non-members.
Please sign up through this Google form link for registration for the pollinator walk and/or the speaker series.
Edmonton Horticultural Society Speaker Series - Native Bees
Discover the fascinating world of native bees! In this presentation, we’ll explore their incredible diversity and how they differ from managed bees like honeybees. With pollinators in decline, it’s more important than ever to learn simple, effective ways to support these essential species and the risks that they face. Learn how you can help create a future for bees and biodiversity alike, right in your own backyard!
Along with the talk, enjoy networking and tables with vendors, non profit societies and other organizations.
Sustainability Social by Waste Free Edmonton
Join us for Waste Free Edmonton's 4th Annual Sustainability Social. This year's theme is Growing Your Own Food.
If you are looking to reduce your waste and connect with like-minded Edmontonians, look no further! Waste Free Edmonton is hosting our 4th Sustainability Social. Let’s connect and reduce our footprint together. Your ticket includes delicious vegetarian appetizers as well as coffee, tea, and soft drinks. Additional beverages will be available for purchase at the bar.
Hosted at The Bell in Scona, you can expect an evening packed with passionate experts and hands on activities, all in the name of sustainability! While the event begins at 6PM, doors will open at 5:45, giving you a little bit of extra time to settle in if needed.
TIP: Bringing your own Tee or Tote? We recommend something that isn't too textured, and keeping to a solid, lighter colour. Don't have anything in your closet that fits the bill? Don't worry! We will have a selection of previously loved Tees, purchased from our local gem Blenderz Garment Recyclers.
Bee Box Workshop - MD Wainwright
Help make your yard a more friendly place for our native bees by building your very own bee hotel! You’ll also get the opportunity to learn more about bumble bee identification and reporting tools you can use to help conserve these important native bee species, like how to participate in our Bumble Bee Box Monitoring Program!
This workshop will be presented by the Alberta Native Bee Council.
Cochrane and Area Gardening Expo
Whether you’re an experienced gardener, a newbie eager to take your first steps into gardening, or newly relocated to Cochrane and realizing you may need a few tips for gardening in this zone – this event will get you excited about digging in the dirt!
This event will feature:
* VENDORS – seeds, plants & accessories, get ready for Spring planting
* Experienced LOCAL GARDENERS – chat & learn
* SEED EXCHANGE TABLE operated by Cochrane & District Horticultural Society – bring & buy
* GUEST SPEAKER Presentations – local gardeners share their experience & knowledge.
North Glenora (Edmonton) Bumble Bee Box Workshop
Help make your yard a more friendly place for our native bees by building your very own bee hotel! You’ll also get the opportunity to learn more about bumble bee identification and reporting tools you can use to help conserve these important native bee species.
This workshop will be presented by the Alberta Native Bee Council.
The workshop is intended for the Glenora Community Members, which will have priority, but members of the public can join the waitlist to participate here.
Saddle Hills Bee Box Workshop
Help make your yard a more friendly place for our native bees by building your very own bee hotel! You’ll also get the opportunity to learn more about bumble bee identification and reporting tools you can use to help conserve these important native bee species, like how to participate in our Bumble Bee Box Monitoring Program!
This workshop will be presented by the Alberta Native Bee Council.
Check out the event here (registration will close when full)
Grand Prairie Bee Box Workshop
Help make your yard a more friendly place for our native bees by building your very own bee hotel! You’ll also get the opportunity to learn more about bumble bee identification and reporting tools you can use to help conserve these important native bee species, like how to participate in our Bumble Bee Box Monitoring Program!
This workshop will be presented by the Alberta Native Bee Council.
Stony Plain Seedy Saturday
Join us at the Stony’s Seedy Spring Market and:
Celebrate Spring - Support Local Vendors - Learn - Find Unique Seeds and Garden Treasures - Eat - Sharpen Your Tools - Discover Gardening Insights
THIS EVENT WILL INCLUDE A PRESENTATION BY THE ALBERTA NATIVE BEE COUNCIL ON NATIVE BEE CONSERVATION STRATEGIES.
Sturgeon County Country Living Expo
Get ready for an unforgettable day at the Country Living Expo on Saturday, March 28th, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre (MCCC)! This isn’t just any event — it’s an exciting celebration of rural life, agriculture, and all the amazing things that make country living so special! Whether you’re a nature lover, a DIY enthusiast, or just looking for a day of fun, there’s something for everyone. Check out the details here!
Plenty of activities and workships including:
10:30AM – Who’s Bugging Your Garden? - PRESENTATION BY ALBERTA NATIVE BEE COUNCIL
11:30AM – Grate Expectations: Inside Cheesemaking
12:30PM – The Power of Native Plants
1:30PM – More Than Meets the Spore: Mushrooms of Sturgeon County
2:30PM – Kind of a Big Dill: Mastering Pickling Basics
Edmonton Seedy Sunday
For decades, Seedy Sundays have brought together gardeners, native plant collectors, and conservation advocates to celebrate the joy of gardening and the preservation of biodiversity. Edmonton’s Seedy Sunday 2026 is proud to carry on this tradition with a rich program of activities and opportunities for connection.
What to Expect:
Seed Exchange: Share seeds and stories with fellow gardeners while discovering new, locally adapted varieties.
Educational Talks: Gain insights into topics like pollinator-friendly planting, native plants, and sustainable garden planning.
Interactive Workshops: Explore creative gardening projects like making seed bombs and container gardening.
Eco-Friendly Marketplace: Browse eco-conscious products and tools that support your gardening goals.
Gardening Help Desk: Get tips and personalized advice from Edmonton’s gardening experts.
Edmonton Seedy Saturday
Seedy Saturday events are a cornerstone of gardening communities across Canada, and Edmonton is no exception. Hosted by Sakaw Gardens at the Millhurst Community League, this 5th annual event is a vibrant celebration of gardening, sustainability, and community connection.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, Seedy Saturday offers something for everyone.
What to Expect:
Seed Exchange: Trade your seeds for resilient, locally adapted varieties.
Expert Presentations: Learn about heirloom plants, seed saving, and urban gardening from Edmonton’s top gardening voices.
Hands-On Workshops: Get practical with skills like seed starting, composting, and pest management.
Local Vendors: Shop for heirloom seeds, rare plants, and eco-friendly gardening solutions from vendors like the Edmonton Horticultural Society, Edmonton Native Plant Society, and One Garden YEG.
Community Connections: Engage with fellow gardeners, swap tips, and share stories.
Calgary Seedy Saturday
This is a free, drop-in event.
Calgary Seedy Saturday is keeping the skill of growing from seed to seed alive in Calgary. As large commercial seed companies consolidate and only offer more hybrids and patented varieties, we are increasingly losing the regionally adapted collections that have developed in our unique prairie climate.
Calgary Seedy Saturday is part of the worldwide Seedy Saturday/Sunday events that celebrate open-pollinated seeds.
Consider bringing cash as several small vendors didn't have machines and the cash machine ran out in 2024.
Lunch, snacks and drinks will be available for purchase - Saffron Catering makes a lovely chili and brings several snacks and drinks!
Creating a Native Pollinator Garden in Calgary
This Member Talk is a hybrid event - join us online or in person!
Are you interested in learning about sustainable, drought-tolerant gardens that can not only provide food and beautiful flowers, but ALSO help our native pollinators?
Join Sydney Worthy, Native Bee Stewardship Specialist with the Alberta Native Bee Council, to learn about what you can do to help pollinators in urban areas while also benefiting from a beautiful native garden! Topics covered will include:
Bee diversity in Alberta / Calgary
Why bees are important and why they need our help (especially in urban areas!)
How a native garden can help you AND pollinators
What types of flowers and shrubs are best to plant in the Calgary area
Helpful tips on maintaining a native garden - patience is key!
Living in the Natural Environment
Living in the Natural Environment brings together members of the community, government, and residents together to initiate discussion. The Alberta Native Bee Council will attend with an information booth for attendees.
This event will take place on February 13, 2026 at the Cochrane RancheHouse. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/living-in-the-natural-environment-2026-tickets-1979740530219
Presentations for 2026:
1. The Bow State of the Watershed: The story of how water connects the basin - Bow River Basin Council
2. Cougar Coexistence Project - Exposed Wildlife Conservancy
Spring 2025 Annual General Meeting
The 2025 Spring AGM will include updates on recent, and upcoming, projects including the Native Bee Monitoring Project, the Bee Box Program, and exciting new projects on the horizon.
Pollinator Week 2024 Events
Get ready for Pollinator Week 2024 with a number of FREE pollinator events across Alberta!
Xerces Society Live Bug Banter Podcast
June 17, 2024 - 2 pm MDT
Online through Zoom
Join Bug Banter co-hosts Matthew Shepherd and Rachel Dunham for a Q & A session on all things bees. Bring your questions about bees and your enthusiasm!
ANBC Annual General Meeting
June 18, 2024 - 6:30 - 8:30 pm MDT
Online through Zoom
Join us learn about how the Alberta Native Bee Council is run and get updates on recent, and upcoming, projects including the Native Bee Monitoring Project and the Waterton and Elk Island Projects.
There are no fees to attend but to vote in the AGM you must be a member.
Want to make a bigger difference for the bees? Join our Board of Directors!
The positions of treasurer and member at large are open. To apply, please fill out our nomination form and email it to info@albertanativebeecouncil.ca.
Oldman Watershed Council & Naapi’s Garden
June 19, 2024 - 9 pm MDT
Cardston, Alberta
Spend a day planting native flowers with the Oldman Watershed Council at Naapi’s Garden to help native pollinators!
Where: Meet at Moses Lake Community Hall (north of Cardston) at 9am, then together to Naapi’s Garden.
More information will be shared with those who register!
Pollinator Carnival
June 22, 2024
10:30 am - 3:30 pm MDT
Capstone Canada 150 Square, Red Deer
The Pollinator Carnival is a fun, free event at Capstone Canada 150 Square in Red Deer, designed to create awareness and appreciation of pollinators. Talk to experts and learn about bees! Games, prizes, activities and entertainment are all included.
Free to attend – no tickets or pre-registration required!
Pollinator Walk & Talk
June 23, 2024
1 pm - 2 pm MDT
Ellis Nature Centre, Red Deer, Alberta
Come for a pollinator walk & talk in celebration of pollinator week! Board member Charity Briere will teach participants about various native pollinators & talk them on a walk to search for them. This event is free, but pre-registration is strongly encouraged!
This event is weather dependent and may be cancelled in the event of inclement weather.
City of St. Albert Native Bees 101 and Pollinator Walk
Come learn what all the buzz is about! Join us for the Native Bees 101 & Pollinator Walk session on Sunday, July 23 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the John Beedle Room at the St. Albert Botanic Park.
10 a.m. 11:15 a.m. Introductions & Native Bees 101 Workshop
11:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Snacks & Refreshments
11:45 a.m. - 1 p.m. Pollinator Walk Session
This free event is offered in partnership with the Alberta Native Bee Council and provides an opportunity for residents to learn all about the diverse range of native bees, how to identify them, where they live, what they eat and what you can do to help them.
We’ll be taking a walk in the St. Albert Botanic Park and along the Sturgeon River to discover lots of bee-friendly flowers.
Light refreshments will be provided during the event; however, attendees are also welcome to bring a lunch.
Note: The workshop is recommended for children over the ages of 12
City of St. Albert Bumble Bee Box Workshop
What's Happening
Help make your yard a more friendly place for our native bees by building your very own bee hotel! You’ll also get the opportunity to learn more about bumble bee identification and reporting tools you can use to help conserve these important native bee species.
Residents are invited to join in on Saturday, June 24 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Grey Nuns White Spruce Park (GNWSP) on the north multi-use trail.
The workshop fee is $30 and includes all building materials; however, registrants are asked to bring their own cordless drill and safety glasses as only a limited number will be available.
This workshop will be presented by a member of the Alberta Native Bee Council. Limited spots available so reserve yours today!
To Bee or Not to Bee
Pincher Creek, AB (GPS coordinates: 49.277368, -113.858703)
10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Spend the day at The Yarrow completing a pollinator and wildflower survey. To start the day, you will learn all about native pollinators and pollinator habitat from expert Megan Evans, president of the Alberta Native Bee Council. After learning all that you can about pollinators, Megan will lead the group in identifying pollinator plants and species, including bees and butterflies!
This family-friendly event is a great was to explore one of NCC’s newest properties and learn all about native pollinators and wildflowers found in the area.
For questions please contact ab.volunteers@natureconservancy.ca.
Pollinator Walk - Bunchberry Meadows
It’s Pollinator Week! Join us on Friday, June 23 at Bunchberry Meadows, to learn about the insects and plants in your backyard. The walk will take place from 3:00-5:00pm.
This guided walk will be lead by the Alberta Native Bee Council and the Edmonton Native Plant Society.
This event is now full, thank you for your interest! To be added to the waitlist, please enter your details below. You will be contacted a few days before the walk if a space becomes available.
Pollinator Week- U of C Garden Party
Garden Party
Pollinator Week (June 19-25)
Join us for a fun-filled afternoon of networking, learning and celebrating our local pollinators.
During this event people can learn about pollinators from some of Canada's leading experts in the fields of zoology and ecology. Participants can also get their hands dirty to create bee boxes during the party. Spaces for the workshop are limited and will be allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Date: Friday, June 23, 2023
Time: 11.30 a.m. – 1 p.m. (MT)
Location: University of Calgary’s Main Campus Community Garden. The exact location pin can be found here.
A free Bee Box-Building workshop will be hosted during the event.
*Participants who register are encouraged to bring their own power drill. A few drills will be available for those who do not have one. All other supplies and instructions will be provided.
All participants will receive a packet of native flower seeds and entry tokens for a raffle. Prize winners for the raffle will be selected and distributed at the end of the Garden Party so make sure to stick around!
You are welcome to bring and enjoy your lunch at the garden.
The Insect Apocalypse - University of Calgary Institute for the Humanities 42nd Annual Community Forum
Description from Poster:
The Calgary Institute for the Humanities in partnership with UCalgary Alumni
Join us as we explore our relationship with insects from multiple angles, in order to understand how our thinking about insects may have contributed to their decline, and how looking more closely at our relations with our fellow creatures may help to ameliorate the situation.
This year’s Community Seminar features Renaissance literature scholar Eric Brown (University of Maine at Farmington), entomologist and insect communications researcher Maya Evenden (UAlberta), and speculative fiction expert Sherryl Vint (UC Riverside). Artists Alana Bartol and Bryce Krynski will present their short film all roses sleep. Pianist Kevin Chen will perform a short recital. CIH Honorary Graduate Fellow Veronica Briseno Castrejon will discuss her research on Maya beekeeping practices.
Native Bees 101
Native Bees 101 is an introductory overview of the native bees in Alberta. Join us to learn about their amazing diversity, how to tell them apart from other insects, where they live and what they eat, and what YOU can do to help them! You will see how to identify the bumble bees of Southern Alberta, a collection of specimens that showcase Alberta Bee diversity, examples of houses you can provide for them, and we will play some games!
Please note - This session has limited in-person capacity but an online option is available. Pre-registration is required for both.
Native Bees 101
Native Bees 101 is an introductory overview of the native bees in Alberta. Join us to learn about their amazing diversity, how to tell them apart from other insects, where they live and what they eat, and what YOU can do to help them!
ANBC Annual General Meeting
The Alberta Native Bee Council 2023 Annual General meeting will be taking place on Monday, April 24 from 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., through zoom. Please join us by clicking the "Register Here" button below.
Please note that you must be a member to vote at the AGM. If you are not a member and would like to vote you can get your membership by clicking the button below! Our membership year will be changing (more information to come) and all multi-year memberships and memberships purchased after September 1st, 2022 are still valid.
We hope to see you there!
Edmonton Seedy Sunday
We’ll also be at Seedy Sunday in Edmonton!
Alberta Avenue Hall
9210 118 Ave. NW, Edmonton AB
