An engaged couple of environmentalists have organised almost 300 seminars and lectures since the launch of their biodiversity blog more than 10 years ago.
In a bid to raise awareness for the efforts of pollinators, geographer Reinhold Burger and adult education coach Ilona Munique founded their initiative “Bienen leben in Bamberg” (The Bees of Bamberg) in October 2012.
Based in Bamberg in the German Free State of Bavaria, Reinhold and Ilona initiated 278 lectures and excursions for residents and the pupils of the town’s different schools.
Having published more than 1,500 articles on their website, the dynamic duo also managed to establish a connection with local lawmakers, entrepreneurs and individuals interested in apiculture.
Around 40 residents of Bamberg are currently acting as mentors for hives to ensure financial support for the region’s hobbyist beekeepers in economically difficult times.
Reinhold and Ilona – who do not waste a thought on withdrawing any of their projects – told the local Der Neue Wiesentbote newspaper that 6,860 people had participated in their manifold information events.
Their outspoken support for a biodiversity protection referendum four years ago is considered vital for securing astonishingly high participation in Bamberg compared to other Bavarian towns.
Germany is one of Europe’s biggest producers of honey.
However, apiculture is just a leisure-time activity for around 99 per cent of the Central European country’s 170,000 beekeepers. In 2021, they managed approximately 982,000 hives.
Germany is also home to around 550 different solitary bee species like leafcutter bees and bumblebees. All of them are listed as protected species under the federal conservation of nature regulations.
