OUR AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF POLLINATORS NEEDS TO BE RAISED
Everything colourful in the greengrocers has been pollinated by insects. One third of our food has been directly or indirectly pollinated by bees. They pollinate, for instance, most berries, fruit trees, oil producing plants, tea, coffee and all wild plants. Our ecosystem and our food supply are greatly dependent on insects like bees, bumblebees, butterflies and flies. 

One third of all wild bees and bumblebee species are endangered today. Changing agricultural landscapes mean that there is now far less natural pasture and fewer flowering plants in both arable and grasslands.

To a certain extent the loss of wild pollinators can be boosted by stocking more honey bees, but wild bees and bumblebees are necessary for better pollination of early flowering fruit trees and meadow wildflowers. Gardens have a great potential to increase habitat availability for many pollinators. 

We need to raise awareness of the importance of bees and other pollinators for vegetation, the environment and a good food supply. This is why the Bee Fund exists. 

THE BEE FUND
Here at Trädgårdsresan we have set up the Bee Fund – a collection in aid of bees and other pollinators. Our garden owners, local beekeepers and entomologists work together and share knowledge about plants and bees. The gardens, with their plentiful flowering plants, are there for wild bees and other bee colonies. 

Our beautiful visitor gardens are opened to raise funds on Bee Fund days. The funds are administered by The Trädgårdsresan Association Bee Fund Committee, where representatives from the Trädgårdsresan Association, SV Västra Götaland, Gothenburg Botanical Gardens and Naturcentrum sit.

THE BEE FUND ENABLES THE COLLECTION OF POLLINATORS IN OUR MEMBERS' GARDENS  A project that received support in 2023 is the West Swedish Entomologists' Club's pilot project for Inventorying the biological diversity in 25 of Trädgårdresan's 100 member gardens. The project will continue in 2024. The project is a collaboration between The Bee Fund/Gothenburg's Museum of Natural History/Västsvenska Entomologklubben.

THE BEE FUND IS FUNDING RESEARCH INTO NORDIC BEES 
In 2021 the Bee Fund awarded the Nordic Bee Project at Nordens Ark* SEK 50 000. The money will be used to increase knowledge of the Nordic Bee. You can read more about this exciting research project here. The support has been made possible thanks to all the generous contributions (from our gardens, their visitors and sales of books/posters). 

_{*Nordens Ark is a non-profit foundation that works to give endangered animals a future. Read more on their website: nordensark.se} 

YOUR GARDEN VISIT IS WORTHWHILE 
Our gardens open at least once a year in aid of the Bee Fund. During Trädgårdsresan’s Bee Fund Days, visitors can go on guided tours of the gardens and learn more about plants for pollinators, see observation hives, build an insect hotel, buy bee products like honey, meet local beekeepers and much more. The gardens themselves donate some of their proceeds from Bee Fund Days to the Bee Fund. That can include entrance fees and revenue from sales of bee products or similar.

A visit on one of our Bee Fund days gives you an opportunity to make your own financial contribution. All donations are welcome, large or small.  Together we can help save our bees! Make a payment by Swish to 123 – 456 36 23.