Bees in North Holland are still threatened with extinction, according to ecologist Jurgen Rotteveel of Landscape North Holland. And that while these insects are essential for our food production. Because without bees, for example, no apples. Among other things, the province supports a new bee-friendly project on Texel, and residents are also rolling up their sleeves to give bees a future. “I’d like to give something back.”
That is what Judith Langenberg, great nature lover and resident of Grosthuizen, told NH Nieuws. “I thought, I can only worry about nature, but I can also take matters into my own hands.” She started an organic, indigenous garden on 1,000 square meters of land that is freely accessible to everyone.
“Especially among the older generation, there is often a lack of knowledge about the negative effects of poison on plants and animals”
“I have the idea that not everyone cares about nature. And I can hardly imagine that,” emphasizes Langenberg. According to her, the older generation in particular often lacks knowledge about the negative effects of poison on plants and animals.
Homemade Bug Hotels
Langenberg himself does not use poison. It is precisely the wild character that makes the garden so special, according to her. In addition to bee-friendly flowers, it is bursting with homemade insect hotels. From wooden works of art to old cookie jars with holes. Hidden in the garden are also various ‘seats with education’, as Langenberg calls it. Including facts about bees.
Langenberg’s initiative does not stand alone. Elsewhere in North Holland, too, people are rolling up their sleeves to secure the future of the bee. For example at the Darwin Flower Garden in Amsterdam where they give the bee a warm welcome, the bee-friendly Zwanenwater in Schagen and the Flower Garden in the Beemster. And there are still lots of examples†
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According to Jurgen Rotteveel, ecologist at Landschap Noord-Holland, awareness of the importance of bees is growing. “The province is more often trying to mow the roadsides in a bee-friendly manner, and there is more political attention for reducing the use of poison.”
Very important
And that is important, emphasizes the ecologist. “Bees are essential for us as humans. They pollinate many crops, such as apples. If the bees are no longer there, we can no longer eat those crops.”
“We have different types of bees in the Netherlands, more than 300 species,” explains Menno Reemer of the EIS Insects Knowledge Institute in Leiden. “More than half are on the red list.” According to the researcher, in North Holland we should mainly be concerned about the Texel sand bee, the longhorn bee, the Ice silk bee and the moth bumblebee. “These species are mainly found on Texel. They are unique and all have their own story,” says the expert.
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From the knowledge institute, Reemer gives advice to the province of North Holland on how to deal with the bee. The Gardens of Texel initiative was recently created as a result of a collaboration between the Dunes of Texel National Park. “We try to encourage residents of Texel to realize local and specific bee-friendly plants. We help them with the right combination of seeds. Garden centers also offer special plants,” explains Karin van Hoof on behalf of Groen Kapitaal and the province of Noord-Holland. from.
More biodiversity
“We are working hard from the province to increase biodiversity. Naturally, there are specific species on the Noord-Holland grounds for which we bear a special responsibility. This also applies to the bees, such as the Texel sand bee.”
In addition to supporting projects in collaboration with Groen Kapitaal, the province is trying to be more aware of the verges along the road and the nature-friendly banks. “There is still quite a bit to do.”
“What we call ‘weeds’ are actually very good bee plants. So it’s a matter of looking and acting differently”
Despite the fact that various people seem to be putting their best foot forward, according to Rotteveel, we are still a long way from being there. The province and municipalities can ensure less use of poison and more bee-friendly planting, while private individuals must realize even more that they can make a difference.
More greening
Greening gardens, so that tiles look like more bee-friendly plants, leads to more nesting opportunities and flowering plants, according to the expert. Essential to provide the bee population with a safe home base.
According to Langenberg, it’s a matter of systemic change: “What we call ‘weeds’ are actually very good bee plants. So it’s a matter of looking at plants differently and acting differently.”
