Image | Christopher Kirouac

Caption: Christopher Kirouac is nominated in the Community, Social Activism and Volunteerism category. (Supplied)

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Almost a decade ago, 34-year-old Chris Kirouac began learning about the plight of the bees and pollinators and has since become a passionate advocate for urban beekeeping.

Honeybees and other pollinators are on the decline globally and are essential for the food supply we rely on. Chris founded Beeproject, an apiary and business that works toward public education regarding the decline of the pollinators and draws awareness to ways the urban dweller can help.

Chris keeps honeybee hives near Gimli and in Winnipeg, focusing on organic and sustainable methods of beekeeping. Beeproject began teaching workshops for the aspiring beekeeper in 2015 and has spoken to numerous elementary school classrooms about the importance of the pollinators.

Chris has worked closely with Winnipeg city council members to advocate for change in the urban beekeeping bylaws and now, with them amended, will begin keeping bees in downtown Winnipeg in 2016.

Follow Chris and Beeproject on Twitter at @beeprojectca.