Join the Bee Hotel Workshop: Promoting Maltese Pollinators

On Saturday, 20th September, the Foundation held a Bee Hotel Construction Workshop as part of the BOV Rebbiegħa 2024 supported project BeeScape@UM. The event was hosted at the Valletta Design Cluster, a vibrant community space that fosters creativity and cultural initiatives in the capital.

The event which was led by Foundation administrator Dylan Farrugia, began with an introduction to the Foundation and its mission to safeguard the Maltese honey bee (Apis mellifera ruttneri), Malta’s National Insect, and promote wider pollinator awareness. The aims of BeeScape@UM were also discussed and explained in detail, a project which combines community engagement with scientific research. All the participants received a branded mesh bag containing a project t-shirt as a keepsake, safety equipment to be worn during the workshop, and promotional material highlighting the Foundation’s various initiatives.

Branded mesh bags with participant names on labels, containing safety equipment and workshop materials, laid out on a wooden table.

A speaker presenting at a workshop about bee hotel construction, with participants seated in rows, surrounded by promotional materials about bee conservation.

Participants engaged in a bee hotel construction workshop, using tools and materials to assemble the structures while wearing safety equipment.

Following a short break with light refreshments, the workshop shifted into its most anticipated stage; the construction of bee hotels. Participants were divided into groups and rotated across six hands-on stations. Each team had the chance to contribute to different tasks such as gluing, sanding, cutting, assembling, drilling, and reed sorting. This interactive approach not only gave participants practical skills but also offered them a deeper understanding of the importance of pollinators and their invaluable ecosystem service of pollination, particularly solitary bees, in maintaining healthy ecosystems.

A woman guides a child in using a stapler while constructing bee hotels during a workshop, in a creative workshop space.

Participants working on bee hotel construction during a workshop at the Valletta Design Cluster, wearing safety gear and focused on their tasks.

The completed bee hotels will soon be placed on University of Malta grounds, where they will serve as the basis for a year-long scientific study through support from the Department of Biology. Researchers will monitor pollinator interactions with these artificial nesting sites, while a parallel study will focus on road verges. Together, these initiatives aim to provide valuable insights into Malta’s biodiversity and highlight how communities can play a direct role in conservation through hands-on action and education.

Shoutout to BOV and their amazing CSR team for their full support in making this BOV Rebbiegħa 2024 funded project a reality!

A cartoon bee character named Katerina, with a joyful expression and round features, on a honeycomb-patterned background.

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