🐝 Why Talking About Bees is More Important Than Ever — And Why I Love Doing It
Me and my Hives at Rain Bird Farms
🐝 Why Talking About Bees is More Important Than Ever — And Why I Love Doing It
By Mark Vanderende, The Foraging Bee
If you’ve ever seen someone’s eyes light up when they spot their first queen bee, or watched a kid go from “Ew, bugs!” to “Whoa, bees are awesome!”—you’ll understand why I do what I do.
Hi, I’m Mark, a Master Beekeeper, forager, and passionate nature educator. Over the years, I’ve had the joy of speaking to classrooms full of curious kids, auditoriums packed with gardeners and farmers, and even corporate teams looking to reconnect with something real.
And the truth is: bees bring people together.
🐝 It Starts with Curiosity
When I step up to speak, whether it’s in a school gym, a tent at a fair, or a cozy community hall, I don’t start with slides or data—I start with a question:
“Have you ever really watched a bee do its job?”
That’s where the magic begins. Because the moment we slow down and look closer, we discover a world of wonder hiding in plain sight. And from there, we can talk about science, sustainability, and how we’re all connected—pollinators included.
🌼 What I Talk About (And Why It Matters)
Over time, my speaking topics have grown into a collection of crowd favorites. Some are practical, some are poetic, and all are rooted in real experience and a bit of humor:
The Art & Science of Beekeeping – For those who want to dive deep into hive life and learn how nature and nurture come together in sustainable beekeeping.
Amazing Pollinators – A celebration of the wild and wonderful creatures that keep our ecosystems blooming.
From Hive to Harvest – The sweet journey of honey, wax, and propolis—and how ethical beekeeping supports both bees and biodiversity.
What Bees Teach Us – Lessons from the hive on teamwork, communication, and resilience. (Trust me, bees have a lot to say.)
Foraging & Botanicals – A walk on the wild side as I share how I harvest plants to craft healing salves, goat milk soaps, and body care that respects the land.
Bee Curious (Youth Programs) – Because kids are natural scientists—and bees are the perfect gateway into wonder.
😂 Yes, There Are Bee Puns
Let’s just get this out of the way: I love a good bee pun. Whether it’s telling folks to “bee kind,” or joking about a drone’s dating life (yep, it’s wild), humor helps break the ice. My goal is always to make people laugh, lean in, and leave inspired.
🌿 Why I Keep Showing Up
I believe the more people connect with nature, the more they’ll want to protect it. That’s why public speaking isn’t just a side project—it’s central to my mission with The Foraging Bee. These talks create space for curiosity, connection, and action.
And honestly? Watching someone’s mindset shift—from fear to fascination, from “I didn’t know that” to “I want to learn more”—that’s the real honey.
🐝 Ready to Bring the Buzz?
If you're organizing an event, planning a workshop, or want to add something unique to your school, conference, or community gathering—I’d love to chat.
Let’s create something memorable together.
Let’s bee curious.
👉 Book a talk or learn more at www.theforagingbee.ca
📧 info@theforagingbee.ca
📱 Follow along @TheForagingBee