Big Firms Back Bee Population Increase Initiative

Leading enterprises have decided to support a Viennese startup which wants to increase the number of bees to ensure a healthy environment in Central Europe.

Founded five years ago by brothers Mark and Martin Poreda, Hektar Nektar has developed into one of the most important platforms for buying honeybee colonies and various apiculture equipment online.

Picture shows founders Mark (left) and Martin Poreda (right), undated. Hektar Nektar has developed into one of the most important platforms for buying honeybee colonies and various apiculture equipment online. (Hektar Nektar, NewsX/Bee)

Now the innovative small business focuses on gathering big firms’ endorsements of their “Projekt 2028“, an initiative which aims at reaching a 10 per cent rise in the overall bee population in Germany, Austria and Switzerland by 2028.

As executives of companies in all business branches are becoming more and more aware of the importance of endorsing ecological endeavours, the number of partners of the “Projekt 2028” is expected to soar further.

While firms can provide financial support, they are also invited to let local beekeepers who cooperate with Hektar Nektar install and manage honeybee hives on their premises.

Fashion discounter Takko, construction company Buwog, car rental agency Hertz, wholesale firm Metro and DIY store chain Obi are the best-known brands which back the ambitious initiative.

Hektar Nektar officials have underlined that their activities are not just focusing on the domesticated western honeybee but also on the hundreds of solitary bee species that live in Central Europe.

Scientists say that between 550 and 700 different types of solitary bees can be found in the region.

Some types of solitary bees are digging nests into the soil. Others are setting them up in the hollow twigs of trees. Deadwood and unmowed grasslands are offering ideal nesting opportunities.

Picture shows the Hektar Nektar logo, undated. Hektar Nektar has developed into one of the most important platforms for buying honeybee colonies and various apiculture equipment online. (Hektar Nektar, NewsX/Bee)

Miriam Walch is Hektar Nektar’s chief operating officer. She said the project is all about protecting biodiversity.

Miriam told the Wiener Zeitung: “Companies have many stakeholders. We want the firms to reveal their engagement.”

The Hektar Nektar COO added: “Creating an environment which is beneficial to honeybees also supports solitary species.”

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