The municipalities were chosen from almost 90 candidates. Bees and other wild pollinators are crucial for our biodiversity and food production. Actions like these are intended to support them.
Bee plan
Harelbeke has been working on a bee-friendly city for years. Since 2022, the Bee Plan has formed the basis for well-thought-out nature management. And with success: the area that is mowed only once or twice a year grew from 24,886 m² in 2019 to 77,800 m² in 2024, and new flower-rich zones are added every year.
Bee hotels
With the support of the non-profit organization Constructief, the city consciously keeps flowering strips intact and mows to the rhythm of the sand bees. Colorful flower borders and wet grassland were added in the Keizerbos. Even during the work on the library, the bees were taken into account: the yard was temporarily shut down to allow sand bees to move safely. Harelbeke is also investing in nesting sites: a large bee hotel at the library, eight additional insect hotels and soon a real bee castle.
Anyone who wants to discover the result for themselves can go on a Bee Cycle Tour or participate in the annual Bee Walk with a beekeeper and guides.