Burt’s Bees Canada, which sells natural health and beauty care products, recently commissioned street artist Nick Sweetman to paint a mural in Toronto’s Annex neighbourhood, featuring the city’s so-called ‘pollinator-in-chief,’ the green sweat bee.
Replacing illegal graffiti on a wall at Bloor Street and Howland Avenue, the mural—depicting Toronto’s native bee against the city skyline—is part of Burt’s Bees’ educational and funding initiatives to raise awareness of pollinator and bee health issues. The ground-nesting green sweat bee benefits Toronto gardens, but needs sparsely covered sandy soil in sunny locations to thrive.
“Murals are a magnificent way to tell a story through art,” says Michelle Holland, chair of Toronto’s parks and environment committee. “This one will continue to remind us of the important role pollinators play.”
