Schoolchildren sow Honey Highway near Geuzenbos

Honey Highway is an initiative of the biodynamic beekeeper Deborah Post, and is intended to do something about the massive decline in Dutch bee populations. She wants to cover as many areas in the Netherlands as possible with flowers, particularly unused nature strips – as found alongside motorways and bike paths, for example. Post: “Bees are of vital importance for people. However, many species are currently threatened with extinction due to a lack of food.” That is why yesterday, children from CBS Anker’s Group 8 joined Deputy Mayor Paméla Blok-van Werkhoven to sow flower seed along the verge near Geuzenbos.

This is a joint contribution by the Port of Rotterdam Authority, the Municipality of Westvoorne and Deborah Post in the fight against bee colony collapses in the Netherlands. The seed and the verge were made available by the Port Authority, which is responsible for the management of Rotterdam’s port area. “The Port Authority is constantly working to maintain a healthy and attractive social environment. We want to contribute to this goal wherever we can,” says Port Authority COO Ronald Paul.

Geuzenbos
Geuzenbos was planted in the 1980s. Intelligent natural forestry has created a range of open spaces filled with woodland plants, young trees and shrubs. As a result, Geuzenbos is starting to look more and more like an authentic natural forest – one where, furthermore, you may actually encounter a tauros, a ‘wild’ cattle crossbreed. Geuzenbos is managed by the Port Authority.

Honey Highway
The Dutch bee, bumblebee and butterfly populations are under pressure. While the Netherlands has a lot of green space, our country does not have enough flowers. By sowing road verges with the seed of 44 local perennial wild flower species, we can create a lasting paradise for our bees. The verges will not only look wonderful, but will also form good foraging areas where bees can collect their food (pollen and nectar). Bees form an important link within our food chain.