'Hives for Humanity', a non-profit group, has come up with a mentorship program at Vancouver's Milross Garden that starts from today.

As per organizer Sarah Common, main aim of the program is to raise awareness about the bee population. "Creating habitat for them and protecting existing habitat. There's a lot of interest in keeping bees, so I think there's a need for a supportive community as beekeepers", affirmed Common.

Free beekeeping workshops will be organized every Monday night from 5:00 to 6:30 at Milross Garden. Common explained they have planted a pollinator meadow. Demonstration would help people know which plants they can grow in their gardens for the pollinators.

They would also learn different ways of leaving spaces for habitats for pollinators. Common said the demonstration would also educate people as to how they should look out for bees in their garden.

Milross Garden, a 540-square-metre lot in the shadow of the Georgia Viaduct near Chinatown, is also now a home to two new honeybee hives, two queen bees and 40,000 to 60,000 insects.

Common was of the view that bees are responsible for two-thirds of everything humans eat. Despite being so useful, their population is suffering. Habitat loss and agricultural practices that are heavily dependent on chemicals form to be main reasons behind the decline in bees' population.

Amacon is also part of the initiative. Its spokeswoman Melissa Howey said today's start is celebration of the garden, of the gardeners, of the bees, of Hives for Humanity and the partnership they have started.

Common has a bigger plan. Her group hopes to create corridors throughout the city allowing bees to move around and connect with other bees.