Mark Vanderende: The Foraging Bee

🐝🌿 Connect | Explore | Sustain 🌸🏞️

Mark Vanderende is a passionate beekeeper, forager, and dedicated outdoor enthusiast with a deep-rooted commitment to connecting people with nature, exploring the wonders of the wild, and sustaining the environment through ethical beekeeping and regenerative practices.

Through engaging workshops, the Edu-🐝 Video/Blog series, and dynamic public speaking, Mark sparks curiosity and fun, teaching diverse audiences about the essential role of pollinators and how to cultivate a more sustainable relationship with the natural world.

Connect

A natural storyteller with 15 years of stage-savvy experience, Mark captivates audiences with his laugh-out-loud anecdotes, insightful lessons, and hands-on experiences. His passion for sharing knowledge builds bridges between people, pollinators, and the environment—fostering a thriving community of beekeepers, foragers, and nature enthusiasts.

Mark is also leading a community-driven initiative, the Pollinator Corridor Program, in partnership with Victory Gardens, to create vital pollinator-friendly habitats. This project encourages individuals, schools, and businesses to plant nectar-rich, pesticide-free gardens, providing essential food and shelter for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

Explore

With a contagious sense of adventure, Mark guides curious minds into the fascinating world of bees and botany, blending science, tradition, and lived experience. As the founder of The Foraging Bee, he leads in-field workshops that immerse participants in beekeeping, foraging, and eco-conscious living, encouraging them to explore and appreciate the interconnectedness of nature.

Sustain

At the heart of Mark’s work is a commitment to sustainability. His dual apiary sites—Rain Bird Farms in the Lower Mainland and the Similkameen Valley—serve as living classrooms, where modern science meets nature-inspired care. By mentoring new beekeepers and fostering ethical stewardship of pollinators, Mark ensures that future generations carry forward sustainable, bee-friendly practices.

His Pollinator Corridor Program extends this mission beyond the hives, mobilizing communities to take direct action in creating a healthier, more resilient ecosystem for pollinators. By transforming urban and rural landscapes into pollinator sanctuaries, Mark is shaping a movement that supports biodiversity and ensures a thriving future for bees and beyond.

Mark’s mission is simple: to inspire, educate, and cultivate a deeper respect for the natural world—one hive, one foraging walk, one pollinator garden, and one story at a time.

Beyond the Hive

When not tending to his buzzing companions or captivating audiences, Mark is a father of two boys, avid hiker and golfer. His commitment to natural living is also reflected in his handcrafted salves, botanicals, and honey-related creations—each inspired by his passion for the wilderness.

Connect with Mark

For speaking engagements, workshops, or event hosting, contact Mark at info@theforagingbee.ca.

Mark Vanderende’s unique blend of 15 years of beekeeping expertise, education, inspiration, and humor makes him an exceptional communicator—ensuring that his message of sustainability and pollinator conservation resonates with audiences of every age.

Curious to learn more about my adventures with bees, foraging tips, and sustainable living? 🐝 Why Talking About Bees is More Important Than Ever — And Why I Love Doing It by Mark Vanderende, The Foraging Bee.

Follow his journey and gain beekeeping insights on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.