New bee hotels at Summerhill
MIDRAND – Summerhill school are doing their part for the environment with the introduction of bee hotels at their school.
Photo: Preya Pillay
Summerhill School introduced 10 bee hotels on the school grounds to do their part for the environment.
Executive principal of the school Clare Locker said, “According to Grow Wild UK, solitary bees are easily overlooked but they are known to pollinate plants more efficiently than honeybees.
“They provide an essential pollination service, pollinating our crops and ensuring that plant communities are healthy and productive.”
She added that the school became interested in the global discussions on bees and the shortage, so they did research into possible ways of helping. Soon they were led to a few companies who sell bee hotels specifically for solitary bees who do not make honey but play an equally important role in pollination. “Solitary bees also need ample nesting opportunities, which is why the bee hotels are so important.”
The hotels were placed around the school’s perimeter for solitary bees in the area.
Locker said that the school learners will be involved in the weekly monitoring of the hotels in an outdoor classroom session, so that they can learn further about how the solitary bee fits into the local ecosystem.
Locker concluded, “At Summerhill School, we work hard to support and protect our environment and we appreciate its importance in our lives.”
Details: www.summerhill-school.co.za
Related article:
https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/215468/new-spekbooms-at-summerhill/
