Bridgewater pre-primary students celebrate World Bee Day by protecting pollinators

A group of four and five-year-olds at Bridgewater Elementary School is doing its part to help protect pollinators this World Bee Day.

Students in one of the school’s pre-primary classes spent the past several weeks learning about bees, pollination and the important role insects play in growing food and supporting ecosystems.

Support early childhood educator Pam Meisner says the lessons started with a simple classroom conversation about where food comes from.

“It started in March,” Meisner said. “The kids were surprised to learn maple syrup didn’t come from the grocery store, it came from a tree. That sparked wondering where other foods came from.”

From there, the class began learning how many foods rely on bees and other pollinators.

According to the Government of Canada, pollinators are responsible for helping produce about one-third of the food people eat worldwide, including fruits, vegetables and nuts.

The students also learned that while bee populations in Nova Scotia are relatively stable compared to some regions, pollinator declines remain a growing concern globally due to habitat loss, pesticides and climate change.

Support ECE Emily Buck says the students quickly became passionate about protecting bees.

That passion led to one unexpected request — saving the dandelions around the school.

The students noticed grounds crews preparing for mowing season and worried the dandelions bees rely on would disappear.

“There was a very big emotional reaction,” Meisner said with a laugh. “One little guy said if they needed to mow, they could just mow somewhere else.”

Instead, the students worked on a compromise.

The class helped write a letter inviting Bradley Judge, the school board’s head of operations, to visit the classroom and hear their concerns.

After meeting with the students, officials agreed the dandelions in front of the school would remain untouched for the rest of the school year.

Later that same day, a groundskeeper informed the children the area would officially not be mowed.

Buck says the teachers hope the lessons extend beyond the classroom.

“We’re trying to hit home just how big this small act is,” she said.

The students have also been planting Black-Eyed Susans and other flowers to help support pollinators both at school and at home.

As part of Tuesday’s celebrations, the children took a bee pledge promising to help protect pollinators and the environment.