Sustainable Initiatives at Bishop’s University

Bishop’s University prides itself on being a leader among Quebec universities in implementing sustainable practices on campus. With the help of Sustainable Development Student Intern Jonathan Shea, we are here to showcase some of the great initiatives happening at Bishop’s, thanks to our wonderful students and its extended family!

Buzzin’ about Bishop’s Bees!

Bishop’s Bees was started by Chloé Soucy, a third year English major who decided to create a sustainable bee-keeping project on campus through funding received through the 2015-2016 Build A Better Purple campaign. Getting the project started and familiarizing herself with beekeeping practices posed a massive learning curve for Chloé initially. Despite this, she was incredibly successful and was able to successfully ratify the Bishop’s Bees initiative as a club on campus which now includes over 300 members and have a total of 120 jars to sell at Doolittle’s throughout the year! Bishop’s Bees is an open club for anyone who has a passion for Entomology or the Environment. throughout the year, they have held informative meetings, fundraisers, as well as held information sessions for projects using honey and bees wax such as creating lip-balm and candles.

The project started with two hives, and with the help of Nick Melka, #UbishopsAlumni and founder of Miel MTL, they have now expanded to now include additional beehives this year and these new hives are expected to be producing honey ready for harvesting come summer 2018. Be sure to like and share their Facebook page and become a member on TheBubble.

 – Bishop’s Bees Bubble Page: https://www.campusvibe.ca/campusvibe/group/5831bfcd-f876-4392-a68b-ac45d9b7b895/0645c089-5a7c-4779-b4ea-acfaef740de7
 – Bishop’s Bees Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/bishopsbees/
 – Miel MTL website: http://www.mielmtl.com/the-company.html

Bishop’s Environmental Club X Potager D’Emylou: the perfect match!

Bishop’s Environmental Club has started a vegetable basket project with the Potager D’Émylou, a family-run business based out of the Canton de Hatley, located 15 minutes away from our campus. The Potager D’Émylou prides themselves with selling affordable, locally grown vegetables and herbs. They have been producing organic fruit and vegetable baskets since 2001 and will now be delivering to Bishop’s University at the Diversity Centre located in the basement floor of the Student-Union Building. The Bishop’s Environmental Club is proud to encourage the consumption of sustainable and affordable alternatives to produce from overpriced grocery stores, simultaneously reducing food insecurity amongst the Bishop’s University community.

The baskets start at $20 and go all the way up to $50. An initial registration fee is required, this year it is only $12. The contents of the vegetable basket cannot be customized as the basket is filled with produce in season. However, recipes will be added to every delivery to ensure guidance for how to prepare unfamiliar or new produce one may find as a free bonus. The contents of the basket will be known every Tuesday, before the delivery of the food baskets on the following day. Because its five greenhouses, Potager D’Émylou’s can deliver baskets to the Bishop’s Campus year around!

For more information and to learn how to subscribe to get your own organic vegetable basket:

– Bishop’s Environmental Club FB group (Members + Volunteers): https://www.facebook.com/groups/297666690247351/
– Bishop’s Environmental Club FB group (Supporters): https://www.facebook.com/buenvclub/?fref=gs&hc_location=group
– Potager D’Emylou Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/PotagerEmylou/
– Potager D’Emylou Website: http://www.potageremylou.net/

AgroBishops

AgroBishops is a co-op project that will focus on creating a sustainable food initiative at Bishop’s University. The main goal is to create an innovative and eco-friendly way to produce food to provide for the University/ College demographic. The target market isn’t exclusive to students but will, in fact, try to reach out to as much of the Lennoxville community as possible. To get this initiative rolling, there needs to be the support of an active community of environmentally conscious students who are willing to volunteer and support this Bishop’s University greenhouse and community garden project as it takes off.

Want to learn more about Greenhouses and Community Gardens at Bishop’s University?

– AgroBishop’s FB page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/820871168052534/