Eliese Watson, Owner, Educator, Beekeeper

Eliese Watson is the founder and senior educator of Apiaries and Bees for Communities Inc. (ABC Bees). Since founding ABC Bees in 2010, it has become the leading beekeeping education company in Western Canada. Over her career, Eliese has taught beekeeping across North America, been featured in Forbes Magazine, and represented small scale beekeepers to the Canadian Senate. Eliese has developed strong beginner, intermediate, and advanced beekeeping programming that has been shared with thousands of students.

Eliese believes in the values of the “Hive Mentality Using Bees as a Conduit”. This means that not only does she support new beekeepers and beekeepers looking to expand their skills, she believes that the more the public understands about bees, the better our communities and environment will become.

Through ABC Bees, she runs conservation programming for children, community associations, and private organizations. Eliese has also published four books engaging the public about bees; the trilogy Little Bees On Bees: Solitary Bees, Bumble Bees, Gardening for Bees, and a book for supporting teachers educating children about the importance of bees Bee Inspired: Teaching Resource.

Eliese spends her time away from the bees with her husband and children in the garden, doing crafts, and connecting with friends and family.

Gisele Hardock, Kids Classroom Presentations

Gisele Hardock is a beekeeper and educator based near Cochrane, Alberta. A former homeschooling parent, she now works at a forest preschool and volunteers as a literacy tutor.  She has been a beekeeper for over 8 years, and has recently studied to become a Master Beekeeper through the University of Montana.  Combining many years experience working with children and a love of the natural world she brings knowledge and passion to the classroom.