World Bee Day at photovoltaic farms Sulechów

During the event, children had the opportunity to participate in three sessions:

• A walk and activities on the role of insects in the ecosystem, led by Mrs. Alicja Dubicka-Czechowska from the University of Zielona Góra.
• A lecture on beekeeping and the role of bees in agricultural economy, conducted by Mr. Krystian Bedynek, the beekeeper responsible for our apiary.
• A collective visit to the photovoltaic farm and activities on Renewable Energy Sources, led by project managers from Polenergia Group.
• This event was organized as part of the ongoing project “Play with us in green!” initiated by Polenergia Group in 2022. We engage in educational activities because we understand the immense significance of educating the younger generations for the future of our planet and the environment.

World Bee Day, established by the United Nations upon Slovenia’s initiative, is celebrated on May 20th. Its goal is to emphasize the importance of bees in food production and draw attention to the threats that these insects face.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), 84% of the 264 plant species cultivated in Europe require pollination by insects. In Poland, there are nearly 470 species of bees, with the honeybee being the most well-known. Approximately one-third of the food we consume is the result of honeybee pollination.

Intensified agriculture, excessive or improper use of pesticides and fertilizers, presence of pathogens, environmental pollution, and climate change pose significant threats to these insects. In recent years, an increasing number of environmental organizations have drawn attention to the hazards leading to the mass decline of pollinating insects. According to them, the main threat to bees is the loss of habitats for foraging and nesting due to changes in land use. The expanding urban areas and cultivated fields, dense urbanization, frequent mowing of lawns and meadows are just some of the factors that are detrimental to these insects.

That is why, on a 50-hectare area of photovoltaic farms in Sulechów, we cultivate diverse meadows of flowering plants and pasture grasses, providing abundant food sources for insects. The areas of our photovoltaic farms are free from pollutants and agricultural chemicals. The increasing surface of meadows translates into greater species diversity of insects, as well as birds and mammals. Thanks to our efforts, the biodiversity in the Sulechów region is noticeably increasing.