In celebration of World Honey Bee Day (on Saturday), Quinte Mall and Operation BeeStrong are proud to announce a major multi-phase environmental and community mental wellness initiative launching for the 2027 spring season. Together, the partners are transforming the shopping center’s rooftop into a home for managed honey bee hives, supported by newly constructed native pollinator gardens across the mall’s property.
Unveiling this partnership on World Honey Bee Day highlights a shared commitment to local ecosystem renewal and peer-led support. Just as honey bees rely on unity, structure, and collective dedication to sustain their colonies, Operation BeeStrong relies on community connection and hands-on engagement with nature to foster mental wellness and resilience among active and retired First Responders, Canadian Armed Forces personnel, and veterans.
Ahead of the 2027 colony launch, Quinte Mall is undertaking preparation and landscaping to install native pollinator gardens at key ground-level areas surrounding the shopping centre center. These gardens will establish a rich, biodiverse foraging habitat for the upcoming hives. Operation BeeStrong will guide hive placement, oversee seasonal colony care, and utilize the apiary as an active site for its signature peer-mentorship program.
In support of this initiative, the Quinte Mall and Operation BeeStrong have worked to put together a display in a storefront located along the mall’s concourse, near the Booster Juice kiosk (see image attached to this release, and visit beestrong.ca/quintemall).
“Announcing this partnership on World Honey Bee Day represents a meaningful investment in Belleville’s environment and our community. Preparing our grounds with dedicated pollinator gardens allows Quinte Mall to lead by example in urban biodiversity, while providing a welcoming home for Operation BeeStrong’s essential mental wellness programs for military personnel and first responders.” Diane Camelford, General Manager, Quinte Mall / Primaris REIT
“A thriving beehive relies on a healthy, supportive environment – much like the individuals we serve. By establishing pollinator gardens ahead of our 2027 hive launch, Quinte Mall is building an ideal ecosystem for our colonies. World Honey Bee Day is the perfect moment to share this vision of how nature, community mentorship, and shared purpose come together to support mental wellness.” — Belleville Police Insp. Jeremy Ashley – Founding Director, Operation BeeStrong
Initiative Highlights
· Urban Pollinator Sanctuary: Planting native flora around the property grounds to enhance local biodiversity and support pollinators in the heart of Belleville.
· Managed Honey Bee Colonies: Operation BeeStrong will introduce and steward managed honey bee hives on the mall rooftop starting in the Spring 2027 season.
· Community Mental Wellness & Peer Mentorship: Serves as an active apiary site for Operation BeeStrong’s peer-mentorship network, pairing trauma-exposed service professionals with experienced mentors in a hands-on, supportive environment.
About Operation BeeStrong Operation BeeStrong is a federally incorporated non-profit organization (Corporation No. 1730266-5) dedicated to supporting active and retired First Responders, Canadian Armed Forces personnel, and veterans. Through hands-on beekeeping mentorship (‘one mentee, one mentor, one hive’), the organization fosters mental wellness, resilience, and community connection across the Quinte region. Learn more at www.beestrong.ca To learn more about our hive project at the mall, visit www.beestrong.ca/quintemall
About Quinte Mall Quinte Mall is Belleville’s centre for shopping, dining and entertainment, bringing together top retailers, great food, and community experiences in one convenient destination. Owned and operated by Primaris REIT, Canada’s only enclosed shopping centre-focused REIT, Quinte Mall is committed to sustainability, operational excellence, and meaningful partnerships that help strengthen the Quinte community. Learn more at www.quintemall.com
