World Bee Day: I'm with the pollinators!

Highways for bees. Trekking with butterflies. And resting areas for insects. We are not in a Microworld scenario, but within the projects that have blossomed almost everywhere, including in our country defense of pollinators. After all, three-quarters of food crops and as many as 90% of wild plant species present in nature depend on their work. Yet the use of pesticides, habitat loss and climate change are decimating these precious custodians of biodiversity (here's what we can do about this).

They are there to remind us World Bee Dayon May 20, and the World Biodiversity Day, on May 22nd. But also laws like the Nature Restoration Law, a regulation approved at the beginning of the year by the European Parliament for the recovery and redevelopment of damaged ecosystems. A toric agreement between member states which aims to restore at least 20% of degraded habitats (which will rise to 60% by 2040 and 90% by 2050. For the benefit of agricultural land (among others) and bees, bumblebees, butterflies, moths, wasps, flies, beetles and all species that carry pollen from flower to flower.

Flowery highways and bug hotels

Projects that have been active for years have been moving in this direction Life BeeAdapt which since 2022 has been developing strategies to promote the adaptation of pollinators to climate change. Just think of the increasingly higher temperatures followed by late frosts and intense rains alternating with drought. According to a 2020 European study conducted by researcher Duchenne, in fact, many species of pollinating insects over the last 60 years have anticipated their activity by six days and decreased the duration of their flight by two days.

The pilot areas affected by the adaptation project are National Park of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, the Montagna del Torricchio nature reservein the Marche, and in Lazio the protected natural areas of Rome Naturethe urban areas of Municipality of Aprilia and the agricultural areas ofAgro Pontino. Here meadows, chestnut groves and blueberry areas have been recreated, shelters for pollinators have been installed and agricultural companies have been involved.

Moving to Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia, the municipalities and private individuals participating in Life PollinAction, project coordinated byCa' Foscari University of Venicecreate real ones green highways and bug hotels for resting and feeding pollinators, marked with ad hoc signs. Here then is the flourish of borders and corridors with insect-friendly species (lavender, mallow, rosemary etc.), which can also count on houses made of wood and natural materials. Meetings and walks with experts are also periodically organized in which everyone can participate.

Slow cities

Also the network of Italian municipalities Cittaslow took the field in favor of bees. This is demonstrated by the many initiatives to concretely raise people's awareness of the protection of pollinators. How? In addition to choosing honey-bearing plant species for its flowerbeds and gardens, the association involves schools and visitors in beekeeping actions. TO Parrano (Tr), for example, municipal apiaries have been created open to anyone who wants to learn the secrets of the fabulous world of beekeeping with ad hoc courses. To Acquapendente (Vt) special bee houses have been installed, designed to recreate the ideal conditions for the formation of a honeycomb in the surrounding woods and green areas, where they can migrate spontaneously once mature. To Asolo (TV), was created BoscAsolo, an educational area created to promote biodiversity. It's at Città della Pieve (Tr) they even dedicated a celebratory monument to bees in the square, as well as banning pesticides and planting insect-friendly species.

Butterfly watching

The walk along the ridges is dedicated to butterflies Alassioin Liguria Sun Bay, created by the naturalist and environmental hiking guide Matteo Serafini on the paths richest in flowers. You can sign up for the entire summer butterfly watching together with the expert to observe the variety of diurnal butterflies and their valuable function for pollination. The trek is a circular path along the heights of Punta Vegliasco, between Albenga and Laigueglia, with a shuttle service to and from Alassio station. All participants are also provided with a booklet dedicated to the most common species that can be encountered in the Mediterranean area, learning to recognize them.