The Hive Effect
Many Minds.One Hive. Every Cell Connected
A non‑profit community and environmental project reconnecting people with nature — and with each other.
THE APIARIES
Learn from the experts of society
"If the bee disappears from the surface of the earth, man would have no more than four years to live?" - Albert Einstein
Make Believe?
It was rather unimaginable for Albert Einstein, who was neither an entomologist nor an expert in beekeeping, to speculate about bees, however controversy about the authenticity of the above quote avoided the real and unnerving questions;
“how true is this statement”?
"does human life depend on bee pollination"?
"and if so, to what extent"?
POLLINATORS
Everyone Counts
Besides crop plants, around 90% of most wild plants require animal pollination to reproduce and Bees are the predominant and most economically important group of pollinators in most geographical regions. As the world moves towards growing more bee pollination-dependent crops, managed bees have been suffering and in decline, threatened by many environmental factors, including lack of natural and semi-natural habitats, and increased exposure to chemicals.
Simply put, Bees and other pollinators are in decline on a global scale, particularly in Europe and the United States. The lack of robust regional or international programmes to monitor these changes means that at present there is uncertainty as to the extent and scale of the problem, however, the losses alone are shocking.
Declined!
In recent winters, honeybee colony mortality in Europe has averaged 20%. The rest of the world has a range of 1.8% to 53%! www.bees-decline.org
As demand for pollinators both local and regional increases faster than the supply, we could be facing a limitation of pollinators both now and in the near future. This is because the growth in cultivation of high-value pollination-dependant crops is outpacing the global stock of managed honeybees, whilst wild pollinator numbers are also seriously constrained. Honeybee population abundance is uneven among agricultural regions, with some honey producing countries showing growth, whilst regions with high agricultural production (such as the U.K), along with many other western European countries, showing a definite decline. www.gov.uk/bee-health . This guide aims to help farmers and beekeepers to understand the importance of bees to farming and the environment, and how to safeguard and protect bees and other pollinators.
Bumble Bees
The Big Fluffy Ones!
The bumble bee is also used commercially in the UK as a pollinator of food crops, as their size, shape and ability to vibrate vigorously, make them more effective at pollinating certain crops in particular for tomatoes and soft fruits such as strawberries. In the UK we have 25 native species of bumble bee and while this may seem like a healthy number, unfortunately three species are already extinct, two are critically endangered and many more are seriously declining in numbers.
Also Declined!
There's a trend here.
Bees are in danger of disappearing from our environment. Farming practices continue to disturb natural habitats and forage of solitary and bumblebees at a rate which gives them little chance for re-establishment. The constant urbanisation of towns and developments of the small pockets of open space ensure that their survival is truly limited. The honeybee is under attack from the varroa mite, and it is only the treatment and care provided by beekeepers that is keeping colonies alive. Most wild honeybee colonies have died out, as a result of this disease.
What is Being Done?
Education is key - The Hive Effect.
The link below is a publication of the National pollinator strategy from the British Bee-Keepers Association (BBKA), and it highlights the proposals and steps being put into place in the UK, but it’s not enough.
One of the biggest ever threats to the UK’s bees is compounded by the fact that 4 in 10 (40%) of adults aren’t even aware of the decline in pollinators, with a further 14% having no idea at all about the crucial role honeybees play in our environment. Of those aware of the issue around honeybees, two thirds have little or no idea what they can do to help the struggling population. – source; www.express.co.uk/bbka
Banned Damned!
About time
The UK will back a total ban on insect-harming pesticides in fields across Europe, the environment secretary, Michael Gove, has revealed. The decision reverses the government’s previous position and is justified by recent new evidence showing neonicotinoids have contaminated the whole landscape and cause damage to colonies of bees. It also follows the revelation that 75% of all flying insects have disappeared in Germany and probably much further afield, a discovery Gove said had shocked him.
The evidence points in one direction – we must ban neonicotinoids - Michael Gove
It will cost us everything in the end
Ironic isn't it?
“The weight of evidence now shows the risks neonicotinoids pose to our environment, particularly to the bees and other pollinators which play such a key part in our £100bn food industry, is greater than previously understood,” said Gove. “I believe this justifies further restrictions on their use. We cannot afford to put our pollinator populations at risk.”
In an article for the Guardian, Gove said: “As is always the case, a deteriorating environment is ultimately bad economic news as well.” He said pollinators boost the yield and quality of UK crops by £400m-£680m every year” and said,” for example, gala apple growers are now having to spend £5.7m a year to do replace the work of lost natural pollinators”.
Ethical Farming
Natural Hives
Our hives will not be 100% harvested as we believe that replacing the bees honey with sugar/ fondant is not eco-friendly nor is it good for the future genetic evolution of bees. We’re denying them their own natural food source, their own beautiful evolution, which is essential for their survival. This is something we believe is detrimental to the future of the honeybee and its target of self-sustainability, without the reliance on mankind. We shall only take the ‘surplus’ produce with the aim of eventually creating self-sustaining hives that require minimal intervention from man.
Unless we do something
The Bee-ginning
Establishing a beehive is not achieved overnight. Amongst many things, it takes time, patience and dedication as hives are under threat all the time, whether it be man-made from pesticides and chemicals, or natural occurrence’s such as disease or mites.
Contrary to popular belief, beekeeping is an all year-round occupation that requires a lot of time and effort throughout the year, not just at harvest time.
THE POLYTUNNELS
Super-Useful
Polytunnels will allow for the rapid cultivation of native trees, plants, and fauna that will help us to start building and improving the diversity of our environment with immediate effect.
The polytunnels at Bee Sixty-Eight will enable us to grow specialist crops, plants, and flowers to generate a food source. They are also useful for beehives that are ‘in the open’, providing them with additional protection from the elements.
Year round activity
Polytunnels will allow year-round growing and support our initial aim to plant more native trees and plants in the surrounding open spaces. There will be opportunities for members of the public to join in activities during these wet, cold months.
Cultivate the local environment.
Polytunnels will allow for the cultivation of native plants, fauna and funga that will help us to build and improve the diversity of our environment.
Trees
The best time to plant a tree is 25 years ago. The second best time is now - Chinese Proverb
An English Oak doesn't produce acorns until it is around 40 years old!
An English Oak can be productive for 300 years!
Then it can rest for 300 years!
Beyond this, it can be classed as an Ancient tree.
What we plant now may not even mature during our lifetimes! So the simple solution is to plant trees now, which is why our saplings are started when we start and we don't ever stop.
Fruit Trees
The best time to plant a fruit tree is 25 years ago!
What is it with trees these days? What about fruit trees? Who doesn't like the taste of fresh fruit? Who has grown their own apples? Pears? Berries? And why not? Is it because you can't grow an apple tree on your balcony?
O.K, let The Hive Effect make fresh picked fruit a reality, and we will plant some trees just for you, and if you like, we can make jams, compotes, tarts, cakes and even cider and wine.
Make it possible and Join In.
Hedges & Hedgerows
The best time to plant a hedgerow is 25 years ago OR right now.
I think you understand the logic here. Again, depending upon the hedge or shrub, they take a long time to establish and mature and even when you think that it has seen its life out, it's contribution to the ecosystems and environment around it has only just begun.
This type of planting is necessary if we are to invite more wildlife into the area. You can't have a hedgehog without a hedge!
Special Therapy
Polytunnels will enable us to grow specialist crops enabling us the possibility of producing essential oils and therapy products, grow bedding plants, flowers and edible crops.
EDIBLE GARDENS
GARDEN OF EDEN
Raw Honey - Access Granted
Honey is the only food that includes all the substances necessary to sustain life, including enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and water and it's the only food that contains "pinocembrin", an antioxidant associated with improved brain functioning.
Raw honey has not been pasteurised, it has not been heated, nor has it been processed, and this retains the honeys many valuable benefits.
Raw honey is full of natural minerals, vitamins, powerful antioxidants and enzymes. It has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties.
Raw honey contains 27 minerals, 22 amino acids and 5,000 live enzymes. It keeps you healthy by fighting disease and boosting the digestive system.
I Heard It On The..
Grapevines take years to establish. It is something that is often overlooked on allotment plots and in community gardens, yet they have been cultivated for thousands of years, and they are full to the brim with antioxidants, nutrients and powerful compounds that have the potential to;
support heart health
support eye health
boost brain power
manage blood sugars.
Grape Juice has one of the highest sources of phenolic compounds amongst fruits. Research into Resveratrol for example, has shown considerable promise in health promotion and disease management.
Fresh Fruit & Berries
It doesn't happen overnight. Planting fruit trees and berry bushes is great, but as previously mentioned, it takes time for them to establish and produce a crop. More researchers are now supporting the health benefits of eating local food.
We need to start today, because yesterday has already happened.
