Bee Responsible: Give pollinators a home

As part of the Bee Responsible project, an Iberian project coordinated in Portugal by the Liga para a Protecção da Natureza (LPN) and by Ecocolmena in Spain, LPN and Vileda Ibérica are teaming up again, this time with the aim of promoting shelters for pollinators.

The core of the conservation actions of this project is in the heart of the Alentejo, in the Castro Verde plains, where LPN owns the Vale Gonçalinho Environmental Education Center (CEAVG) and co-manages the Castro Verde Biosphere Reserve.

On the morning of February 11, the group got together to travel to CEAVG for a day of cooperative work combined with moments of fellowship with the LPN team.

The day's work aimed to start the recovery of an old stone wall, which delimits the horticultural area next to the CEAVG, and will serve as a real condominium and refuge for insects.

In Castro Verde, the spontaneous pastures and fallow land are essential places for the conservation of several species. The maintenance of these habitats, whose flowers fill the plains with color, depends on the existence of pollinators.

The limitation to the existence of pollinators on these plains is generally related to the unavailability of shelter. Cavities and gaps in a stone wall can provide favorable conditions for various species of birds, reptiles, mammals, and insects, including wild bees, beetles, ants, and spiders.

After the welcome and presentation of the activity's program, the LPN team formed groups for the various work stations.

With team spirit and good humor, we quickly saw the wall forming, stone upon stone.

The lunch break helped recharge their strength for the afternoon. The participants were surprised with one of the region's delights, 'açorda à moda do Alentejo', specially prepared by D. Helena, a talented cook!

Back to work and not giving room to tiredness, our goal was achieved at the end of the day, 18 meters of wall built! The first stones are laid and will serve as an impulse for the next meetings in Castro Verde.

Typical dish from Alentejo: Açorda de poejo e de agrião.

The LPN team is grateful for the sympathy and commitment of the whole group, that even after an exhausting day kept the good mood and enthusiasm!