The BeeFood project aims to create specific feeding grounds for bees and other pollinating species.
In an effort to promote the preservation of biodiversity and environmental sustainability, seven municipalities in the Coimbra region are preparing to implement a revolutionary project. By the end of this year 2024, more than 13.5 hectares of forest areas will be transformed into food fields dedicated to bees and other pollinating species.
The project BeeFoodrecently presented in Serpins (municipality of Lousã), aims to create specific feeding grounds for bees and other pollinating species. Emílio Torrão, president of Intermunicipal Community (CIM) from the Coimbra Regionexplained that the objective is to recover spaces in the territories to plant flora that is attractive to these insects.
“This project aims to create food fields not only for bees, but for all pollinating species, reclaiming spaces in the territories to plant flora that appeals to them. The existence of pollinators is fundamental for biodiversity and the preservation of species and natural flora, especially in municipalities that are subject to fires and with intensive eucalyptus plantation and invasion of exotic species”says Emílio Torrão, who is also president of Montemor-o-Velho City Council.
As for the president of the Lousã City CouncilLuís Antunes, the project BeeFood It’s an opportunity not only to preserve biodiversity, but also to strengthen the honey industry in the respective region. The municipality of Lousã is known for its honey Protected Designation of Origin (DOP) Serra da Lousãand it is expected that this project will contribute to the creation of an ecosystem more favorable to the production of high-quality honey.
“One of the objectives of the project [BeeFood] It is also to help ensure that the honey sector, the municipality’s and the region’s signature product, can have a more suitable ecosystem and allow bees to have better conditions for honey production. The participation of this municipality [Lousã] The project has several objectives, but one of the most important is to strengthen and enhance this strong brand of the municipality, which is honey. Protected Designation of Origin (DOP) Serra da Lousã”highlights Luís Antunes.
The project BeeFood represents a significant investment, worth 63,242.34 euroswith 50 thousand euros being financed by Environmental Fund. The municipalities involved are Lousã, Mealhada, Mira, Miranda do Corvo, Penacova, Pampilhosa da Serra and Sourethus covering a total of 13.63 hectares of forest areas.
The intervention plan will be developed by the Department of Life Sciences from the Coimbra Universityin collaboration with the CIM of the Coimbra Region. This joint effort aims not only to protect bees and other pollinating species, but also to strengthen local agriculture and promote environmental sustainability in the respective region.
