Services

Public Speaking with Mark Vanderende
Buzz-Worthy Talks that Inspire, Educate, and Connect—with a Dash of Humor

Mark Vanderende is a Master Beekeeper, forager, and founder of The Foraging Bee, known for his lively storytelling, deep expertise, and contagious curiosity. With a warm presence and a great sense of humor, Mark transforms complex ecological topics into engaging, down-to-earth conversations that leave audiences both entertained and inspired.

Whether he's speaking to a room full of farmers, students, nature lovers, or curious newcomers, Mark brings the natural world to life with wit, wisdom, and wonder.

🎤 Featured Topics:

🐝 The Art & Science of Beekeeping
A deep dive into the fascinating world of the hive—where biology, behavior, and human care intertwine. Mark explores the seasonal rhythms of beekeeping, the roles of queens, workers, and drones, and the delicate dance of sustainable hive management—with plenty of bee puns along the way.

🌼 Amazing Pollinators
From bees to beetles, discover the incredible diversity of pollinators that keep our ecosystems thriving. Mark shares fun facts, surprising science, and simple ways we can all support pollinators—plus a few laughs about why even flies deserve some love.

🍯 From Hive to Harvest
Follow the journey from nectar to jar as Mark unpacks how bees create honey, wax, and propolis—and how mindful beekeepers turn those gifts into golden, sustainable products. Expect stories, show-and-tell, and maybe a taste or two!

🧠 What Bees Teach Us
What can a superorganism teach us about leadership, teamwork, and balance? A lot. This thought-provoking (and often hilarious) talk draws life lessons from the hive and offers a fresh perspective on community, resilience, and purpose.

🌿 Foraging & Botanicals: Nature’s Pharmacy
With a forager’s eye and a beekeeper’s heart, Mark shares how he gathers wild plants to craft natural salves, soaps, and body products. Learn how to forage safely and ethically—and laugh along with tales from the field (and a few stinging surprises).

🐣 Bee Curious (Youth & School Programs)
Hands-on, high-energy, and perfect for curious young minds. Mark brings the magic of bees to life with interactive games, real tools, and fun facts that spark wonder and appreciation for the natural world.

Let’s 🐝 Curious Together
Mark’s unique blend of humor, storytelling, and science makes him a favorite among audiences of all ages. Whether you're planning an educational event, sustainability summit, school program, or community gathering, Mark will leave your audience buzzing with inspiration.

Book Mark Vanderende for your next event and turn curiosity into connection.

Curious to learn more about Marks 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.

🐝 BEE MENTORSHIP with Mark Vanderende
Explore the Art & Science of Beekeeping
Personalized | Practical | Purpose-Driven

🧑‍🌾 Meet Your Mentor

Mark Vanderende is a Master Beekeeper, forager, and nature educator with over a decade of hands-on experience. Through his work with The Foraging Bee, he supports eco-conscious beekeeping practices, regenerative land care, and handcrafted hive-based products.

🌼 Why Mentorship?

Whether you're brand new to bees or ready to level up your apiary, mentorship helps you:
✔ Build confidence with your bees
✔ Avoid common mistakes
✔ Learn practical, seasonal hive care
✔ Deepen your connection to nature

🔬 The Art & Science of Beekeeping

Mark blends scientific knowledge with natural intuition to guide you through:

• Honeybee biology & colony dynamics

• Hive inspections & seasonal management

• Swarm prevention & queen rearing

• Natural pest & disease control

• Pollinator-friendly foraging strategies

• Creating value-added products (salves, soaps, infusions)

📅 The Beekeeping Calendar

Your mentorship follows the seasonal rhythm of the bees:

SPRING
🌸 Buildup, swarm control, queen checks, splits
SUMMER
☀️ Honey harvesting, pest monitoring, hive ventilation
FALL
🍂 Winter prep, mite management, feeding strategies
WINTER
❄️ Insulation, checking stores, planning & education

🐝 What to Expect

1. Initial Consultation
Meet with Mark to understand your goals and co-create a mentorship plan tailored to your needs.
2. Personalized Sessions
Hands-on or virtual sessions, aligned with the beekeeping calendar and your learning pace.
3. Ongoing Support
Seasonal check-ins, troubleshooting help, and long-term guidance available.

📍 Locations

✅ Rain Bird Farms (North Delta)
✅ Similkameen Valley Apiary
✅ Virtual Mentorship Available

🌿 Bonus Add-Ons

✔ Learn how to make beeswax salves, infused honey & goat milk soap
✔ Explore local forage and plant ID
✔ Integrate your bees with land stewardship

💬 Let’s Bee Curious Together!

Set up a meeting today to start your mentorship journey.
Connect | Explore | Sustain

🐝 BEE MENTORSHIP PRICE SHEET

with Master Beekeeper Mark Vanderende
Personalized | Seasonal | Purpose-Driven

🔍 INITIAL CONSULTATION

Free
Includes:

• Goal-setting

• Apiary assessment

• Mentorship planning

• Q&A + resource sharing

🛠 ONGOING MENTORSHIP

Hourly Rate

• 🐝 $40/hr – Virtual or On-site (within local travel range)

Half-Day Session

• 🌿 $140 (3–4 hours)
  Perfect for hands-on seasonal tasks, hive inspections, or product-making support.

Full-Day Session

• ☀️ $280 (6–8 hours)
  Includes in-depth mentorship, fieldwork, and customized learning.

📅 SEASONAL MENTORSHIP PACKAGE

$550 (4 Visits – 1 per Season/ 4 hours)
Includes:

• Spring startup & splits

• Summer inspections & honey harvest

• Fall winter prep & treatments

• Winter check-in + next-season planning
  Includes flexible scheduling & messaging support

👥 GROUP MENTORSHIP / WORKSHOPS

$40/person (1.5–2 hours)
Great for:

• Backyard beekeepers

• Clubs or small community groups (2–6 participants)

• On-site at Rain Bird Farms or your location

🌿 ADD-ON EXPERIENCES

Customize your mentorship with hands-on learning:

• 🕯️ Beeswax salve + soap making

• 🍯 Infused honey & product blending

• 🌱 Foraging walks for pollinator-friendly plants
  Add-on pricing available upon request

📍 LOCATIONS

✅ Rain Bird Farms (North Delta)
✅ Similkameen Valley Apiary
✅ Virtual Mentorship Available Canada-wide

💬 Ready to Start?

Let’s 🐝 Curious together!
Connect to book your initial consultation and begin your journey into the art and science of beekeeping.

📧 [info@theforagingbee.ca | 📞 [778-882-1236]
🌐 theforagingbee.ca | 📍 @theforagingbee

Check out more… 🐝 Why Talking About Bees is More Important Than Ever — And Why I Love Doing It by Mark Vanderende, The Foraging Bee.

The Art & Science of Beekeeping: Why You Need a Mentor

🐝 Bee Wrangling Services

Safe • Sustainable • Respectful Relocation

Got bees in an unexpected place? Don’t panic—call The Foraging Bee. Mark Vanderende, Master Beekeeper and nature enthusiast, offers expert live bee removal and relocation services designed to protect both people and pollinators.

Why Choose Live Bee Removal?

Honey bees are essential to our ecosystem. Rather than exterminating them, we rescue and relocate swarms and established colonies to safe, managed apiary homes where they can thrive.

We offer:

• 🛠 Safe removals from homes, sheds, trees, fences, walls, and other structures

• 🌎 Eco-conscious methods that avoid harmful chemicals or damage

• 🐝 Humane relocation to our apiaries at Rain Bird Farms or the Similkameen Valley

• 📍 Local expertise with quick response times in [Your Region Here]

• 🤝 Educational insight—we’re happy to explain the process, share bee facts, or give you a hive peek if you're curious!

Common Bee Wrangling Calls:

• Swarms hanging from trees or buildings

• Bees moving into attics, sheds, or walls

• Unwanted hives on properties or farms

• Pollinator concerns around pets or livestock

What to Expect

1. Quick Contact – Reach out via our form, call, or DM with your bee situation.

2. Assessment – We'll gather info or visit the site to determine the best approach.

3. Live Removal – Using gentle tools and techniques, we remove the bees safely.

4. Relocation & Rehoming – Bees are transported to one of our managed hives where they continue their pollination magic.

Bonus: You might even get a jar of honey from their new hive someday!

Bee First Aid Tip 🐝

If you spot a swarm, don’t spray or swat—they’re usually just resting and not aggressive. Take a photo if safe, then give us a buzz. We’ll handle the rest.

Pricing & Availability

Every situation is unique. Bee wrangling quotes vary based on location, structure complexity, and colony size.

📞 Call or text Mark at 778-882-1236
📧 Email: info@theforagingbee.ca
📍 Serving: Lower Mainland, Greater Vancouver, South Okanagan

🐝 Bee Consultation

Need help with your hives or just getting started? Book a 1-on-1 bee consultation with Master Beekeeper Mark Vanderende. Whether you're troubleshooting a hive issue, planning your first apiary, or looking for sustainable beekeeping tips, I'm here to guide you. In-person or virtual sessions available.

Let’s 🐝 curious and build your beekeeping confidence together!

Rate: $35/hour
Note: Travel fees may apply for in-person visits.