McMaster University recognizes that the University and surrounding Hamilton area, including their nature spaces, are situated on traditional territories shared between the Haudenosaunee confederacy and Anishnaabe nations. These lands are protected by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum belt. The wampum uses the symbolism of a dish to represent the territory, and one spoon to represent that the people are to share the resources of the land and only take what they need.
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Nature @ McMaster

Stop#3 – Parking Lot M

The third stop on the bee trail has the unique location of Parking Lot M, located on McMaster’s West Campus. There are five native bee homes featured at this location, all of which were installed in 2019 during the 100in1Day community initiative with the focus on sustainability and boosting biodiversity and bee productivity. They are crafted from pine wood and packed with cardboard tubes, these homes were established by Facility Services and the Academic Sustainability Program’s Office.

 

Fun Fact:  Some bees, like leafcutters and mason bees, will nest in hollow reeds or wood. Farmers sometimes create “bee hotels” with cardboard tubes or drilled wood to provide nesting spaces for these cavity-nesting bees. (1)

 

Species Highlight: Cuckoo bumble bees (Apidae: Bombus) in Ontario are unique parasites that infiltrate other bumble bee nests, taking over the colony by replacing the host queen. These bees focus solely on reproduction, leaving the original workers to raise their offspring of males and reproductive females. (2)

Local Native Bee Spotlight: The Lemon Cuckoo Bumble Bee (Bombus citrinus) is a local species of cuckoo bumble bee found in our area!

 

References:

  1. Chan S, Raine N. Introduction to Native Pollinators on Farms in Ontario [Internet]. Farms at Work. 2018. Available from: https://farmsatwork.ca/sites/default/files/Fact%20Sheet%20%231%20Introduction%20to%20Native%20Pollinators%20on%20Ontario%20Farms_1.pdf
  2. Smale P. Understanding cuckoo bumble bees: terrors or treasures? – Wildlife Preservation Canada News and Events [Internet]. Wildlife Preservation Canada. 2024. Available from: https://wildlifepreservation.ca/blog/understanding-cuckoo-bumble-bees-terrors-or-treasures/