Türkiye ıs looking for bee ambassadors
We aim to create a youth awareness that produces just like bees
THE FUTURE OF THE ECOSYSTEM IS IN THE WINGS OF BEES
Honey bees pollinate 77% of the plant resources consumed as human food worldwide. Bee pollination is absolutely essential for 40 plant species in particular. Therefore, bee colonies are necessary during flowering periods to ensure adequate pollination. Not only plant production but also the sustainability of forests, flowers, other animal species, and even the overall ecosystem is indirectly connected to honey bees.
In recent years, due to global warming, forest fires, and the depletion of water and food resources, the importance of sustainable agriculture and ecosystems has been increasing day by day. For a sustainable future, it is crucial for children and young people to understand not only the products produced by honey bees but also their role in pollination and maintaining the ecosystem. Sustainable development depends on education and environmental awareness.
To this end, an awareness project was launched by the Düzce University Beekeeping Research, Development and Application Center (DAGEM), sponsored by Bee’o Propolis company, under the slogan “TURKEY IS LOOKING FOR YOUNG BEE AMBASSADORS.” The primary goal of the project is to highlight the importance of pollination for environmental sustainability and food security, and the critical role of bees in this process. The project, which aims to raise awareness among children and young people about the importance of honey bees in the ecosystem, is a first both in Türkiye and globally.
The first event of the project took place at DAGEM on May 14, with the participation of 9th and 10th-grade high school students from all districts of Düzce. A total of 35 “Bee Ambassadors” attended, representing the following schools: Akçakoca Barbaros Anatolian High School, Akçakoca Science High School, Akçakoca Piri Reis Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School, Akçakoca Social Sciences High School, Arsal Anatolian High School, Atatürk Anatolian High School, Cumhuriyet Anatolian High School, Düzce Anatolian Imam Hatip High School, Düzce Science High School, Düzce Fine Arts High School, Düzce Girls’ Anatolian Imam Hatip High School, Düzce Mevlana Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School, Düzce 15 July Martyrs Anatolian High School, Farabi Anatolian High School, Gümüşova Anatolian High School, Private Düzce Culture Science High School, Private Düzce Culture Anatolian High School, and Turgut Özal Anatolian High School.
The event began with a breakfast and meet-and-greet session, followed by both theoretical and practical training. Students first received theoretical instruction on bee colonies, bee physiology, bee products and their health benefits, and the ecological role of honey bees. This was followed by practical training at the hives, where students had the opportunity to open a hive and observe bees and their products up close.
Activities continued with candle-making, planting nectar-producing plants, and baking cakes with honey. The day concluded with a certificate ceremony and the presentation of gift packages containing bee products provided by Bee’o Propolis.
The long-term goal of the project is to expand these activities with volunteer bee ambassadors from across Türkiye. The aim is to create widespread environmental awareness and to nurture a society that, like bees, continuously produces rather than consumes natural resources.
