Giving Back 1%: BEE my baby

In 2023, we saved a whopping 17,500 hard-earned Euros. Thanks to you, of course: we donate 1% of your hard-earned money to three wonderful causes that help Mother Nature get and stay healthy. And this powerhouse in the field of planet care is one of them. LETZZZZZZ HEAR IT FOR...

THE BEE FOUNDATION

The Bee Foundation is dedicated to ensuring the survival of bees. Because: worldwide, the bee population is declining at an alarming rate. Why is that? Got a minute? Climate change. Pesticides. Habitat loss. Diseases. Bees are slowly but surely heading toward “endangered species” status, and we’ll explain—with some reluctance—why that’s particularlybad news.

PLAN BEE

Bees are literally vital to the survival of humanity. Without bees, there are no plants; without plants, there is no food. That’s right, and don’t just think of fruits and vegetables—animal-based foods like meat, dairy, and eggs come from animals that feed on… that’s right, plants. Are you reading this blog while enjoying a cup of coffee? It comes from the coffee plant. Is it wine time yet? Grapes don’t pollinate themselves. Grains, nuts, seeds— you name it. About 75% of the crops grown worldwide for human consumption depend on bees for pollination.

Add to that the indirect benefits of bee pollination—such as improving environmental health and protecting biodiversity—and you’ll understand the Bee Foundation’s mission: to ensure the survival of bees, both now and in the future.

THE BEE FOUNDATION IN ACTION

We’ve compiled a list of the Bee Foundation’s key priorities, including examples of the foundation’s efforts.

Preserving and restoring bee populations by protecting their habitats and raising awareness of their importance:

• Action: Providing knowledge (webinars, workshops, courses);

• Action: Encouraging individuals to make their gardens bee-friendly. Demonstrations are given in the fields and borders in the foundation’s own, publicly accessible garden;

• Action: The national “Don’t Mow in May 2024” campaign. Together, we’ll turn lawns across the Netherlands into blooming oases for bees. “Don’t Mow in May” aims to transform dull lawns into bee oases full of flowers. And you can join too—did you know there are more plants in your lawn than just grass? They’ll bloom as soon as you let (part of) your lawn flower. Bees and butterflies will benefit from this. So join in, leave your lawn mower in the garage, and set the table for these cheerful buzzers!

Improve the living conditions of endangered wild bee species through education and by encouraging local activities:

• Action: Encourage municipal and provincial governments to make their territories more bee-friendly , including by implementing different mowing policies for roadside verges and grassy areas;

• Actions: Encourage water districts to make their territories more bee-friendly . This can be achieved, among other things, by implementing a different mowing policy for roadside verges, dikes, and riverbanks.

Influence (agricultural) policy through legal proceedings:

• Action: File an appeal against the approval of insecticides that kill bees;

• Action: Organizing petitions and citizens’ initiatives to have pesticides banned.

Partnerships with other environmental organizations, both nationally and internationally:

• Stichting Steenbreek: known for its “tile-flipping” campaign, focuses on biodiversity (including through the greening of urban environments);

• Save the Bees Coalition: a partnership between various European organizations aimed at banning neonicotinoids and improving the protection of insects against pesticides;

• Buglife: the only organization in Europe fully dedicated to the conservation of invertebrates. This UK-based organization is active at the European level;

• Save Bees and Farmers: As the Dutch partner of this European Citizens’ Initiative, the Bijenstichting calls on the European Commission to support an agricultural model in which farmers and biodiversity can thrive in harmony.

MAY 20 – WORLD BEE DAY

Save the date. While the Bijenstichting doesn’t get the credit for this global initiative, we’re mentioning it to show that the survival of bees is now high on the global agenda. Rightly so, and now you know why, too. World Bee Day was proclaimed worldwide by the United Nations to raise awareness of the importance of bees. In the Netherlands, World Bee Day is organized and coordinated by the Bee Friends Foundation and the Bijenstichting. Why May 20? The month of May is a special month for honeybees. The colonies are very active during this time, producing plenty of spring honey and swarming in large numbers. Many wild bee species are also active in May. We’re calling on everyone to take a moment on this day to think about the bees in your local area.

Is the Bijenstichting’s protective instinct contagious? On bijenstichting.nl, you’ll find several ways to do your part, from becoming an ambassador to making donations and volunteering—the latter especially for the “buzzzy bees” among us who love to roll up their sleeves and get to work.

On behalf of Plein Publique, the Bijenstichting, and a whole bunch of happy bees: thank you for your contribution.

Bee good, Bee happy.