This Friday, May 20th is the WORLD BEE DAY to raise awareness about the vital importance of bees and beekeeping in our daily lives.
When you see bees flying around your plate during a summer meal on the terrace, you probably want them to disappear! However, many people often forget or are simply unaware of the fundamental role that bees play in our ecosystem.
The crucial role of bees
Yes, of course, bees produce honey as well as other high-quality foodstuffs, such as royal jelly and pollen. But the work of bees doesn’t stop there!
According to figures found on the World Bee Day website, the greatest contribution of bees and other pollinators is the pollination of nearly three quarters of the plants that produce 90% of the world’s food. Thus one-third of the world’s food production depends on bees, meaning that every third spoonful of food depends on pollination.
In addition to being one of the main pollinators, thus ensuring food security, sustainable agriculture and biodiversity, bees contribute significantly to climate change mitigation and environmental conservation. But bees are increasingly under threat, and actions must be taken locally to protect them and their habitats.
For more information see: worldbeeday.org
Bees in Luxembourg
What’s happening in Luxembourg? Numerous actions have been taken in recent years to raise awareness of the importance of bees for biodiversity.
A playful and informative path
The City of Luxembourg has set up a pedagogical and playful path through the capital, composed of 13 information points allowing to learn about the world of bees and other insects. This circuit of approximately 2,5 km will allow everyone, young and old, to discover the richness of biodiversity in the urban environment. beien-der-stad
Honey in the city
- Mielusina, honey from Neimënster. A total of 10 beehives – one of which is used by the MNHN for educational purposes have been installed in the Pétrusse valley, along the Alzette river. Each hive contains between 15,000 and 60,000 worker bees depending on the season and produces an average of 20 kg of honey per harvest.
- The honeys of Hunnegkëscht are installed in various districts of the city: Limpertsberg, Gasperich, Bonnevoie, Kirchberg (on the roofs of the Sofitel in particular) and Luxembourg city.
You want to help the biodiversity of your neighborhood? You can have a beehive on your roof! More information on hunnegkescht.lu
A gesture that everyone can do? Plant flowers! Ask for advice in a specialized store to find out which flowers bees are most fond of. This simple gesture will make the bees happy, and our city more colorful!