Doing his part to save the world, Yellowknifer brings backyard bees to the city

While some people may keep bees for the chance to harvest honey, that wasn't Matt Vincent's motivation.

"There is a shortage of bees and people don't realize the impact that bees have on our world," he said.

"Not only do they make honey, they pollinate all our crops, all our food, and then crops are fed to cattle. It's the complete food chain."

A paramedic by trade, Vincent is now the proud keeper of about 10,000 honey bees in his backyard in Yellowknife's Range Lake area.

While the hives are home, he says the bees will be free to fly all over the city.

"They just come and go. It's not like you see a big swarm of bees next to my house or around my neighbourhood. They just leave and do their thing and come back when they're filled with nectar and pollen.

"The entire city of Yellowknife will probably benefit."

Vincent hopes his bees will produce enough honey to tide them over during the winter, when he plans to store them in a crawlspace under his house. Any extra and he'll be tasting it, but he doesn't expect that will be much. 

He's not the only beekeeper in the city — according to Vincent, Arctic Farmer nursery has also brought some in .

He says honey bees are generally docile creatures, and he hasn't been stung yet.

"It's a hobby and I'm just doing my part to try and help the bees."