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For many of us, the balcony is an important living space during the warmer months. It serves as a personal retreat, a place for shared dinners, sunbathing, and, of course, a green oasis in the middle of the city. However, with your balcony, you also have the opportunity to make a significant contribution to preserving biodiversity. It doesn't take much effort, and certainly no green thumb. Here are: Our five tips & tricks for more biodiversity on your balcony:   Plant selection: Choose native plants for your balcony. These are particularly attractive to insects and create necessary habitats, thus increasing...

An enduringly delightful gift idea. What happens when you give a six-year-old a BeeHome with a matching book for Christmas? Our editor Kirsten tried it out - and was amazed with her whole family. Valentin can tell you more about bees than many adults. "They are very important for nature because they pollinate flowers.

Tired of Christmas presents that just end up in a drawer anyway? Meaningful and sustainable Christmas gifts are not only trendy, but they also bring long-lasting joy. We have the perfect idea for you – and not just for nature lovers! 5 reasons for a BeeHome as a sustainable Christmas gift for young and old 1. Give the gift of anticipation for spring With a BeeHome as a sustainable Christmas gift, the anticipation of spring will really soar! It includes a starter population of harmless mason bee cocoons. The peaceful mason bees are wonderful harbingers of spring and bring a...

Her day job involves selling products for roofers, but in her free time, she indulges her love for nature: Jessica Achtsnicht cultivates a large garden that is increasingly becoming an insect paradise. It's no wonder that the 36-year-old is also convinced by the BeeHome Diversity. Her garden is buzzing in every corner Raised beds, perennials, brightly colored tomatoes, or delicate seedlings: On her Instagram channel, Jessica Achtsnicht showcases the full splendor of her own garden. Under the label Lauseblattwerk, she offers self-sufficiency enthusiasts insights into the growth of her plants, provides tips against pests, and shares instructions for canning or...

Climate change is here. Is it just knocking at the door? Will it force its way in? Climate scenarios look different depending on how much CO₂ we emit. But one thing is already clear today: innovative solutions for climate adaptation are needed – from all stakeholders. One should start on one's own doorstep. 75 percent of the Swiss population lives in urban areas. They are particularly affected by more frequent and stronger heatwaves. This is because cities and the surrounding agglomerations have a high proportion of sealed surfaces. Our Sustainability Manager, Juliana Klose, has written an article for the Green...

Why Sand Patches for Wild Bees? What can we do to promote biodiversity in our gardens? How can we help insects find a suitable nesting site and at the same time support the growth of our vegetables and fruits? The worldwide bee mortality is influenced by various factors, including above all the destruction of habitat and food sources. But without bees, food for us will also become scarce, because these small diligent animals pollinate around 80% of our cultivated and wild plants. Did you know that half of all wild bee species nest in the ground? Those who take the...

By early June at the latest, the mason bees will have finished nesting. The BeeHome can then become a nesting site for other fascinating wild bee species. Keep an eye on your BeeHome and you might discover one of these five common wild bee species. You can easily identify them by their different nest closures.   1. The Blue Mason Bee The blue mason bee (Osmia caerulescens) is noticeable for its shimmering blue body and rather coppery to metallic green coloration. It uses chewed leaf material for its cell partitions and nest closure. It partly camouflages the nest closure with other materials, such as wood...

Three years ago, Franz Hollinger made the bold decision to transform the outdoor areas of all ZKB-owned branches into wild bee-friendly habitats. Three years later, Zürcher Kantonalbank is already opening its tenth biodiverse wild bee paradise. The energetic real estate portfolio manager infects many people with his enthusiasm and believes that promoting biodiversity should be a matter of course for every company today! It all started with a self-built wild bee hotel and a knowledge-hungry fourth-grader: his daughter Elin. Franz Hollinger has been working at Zürcher Kantonalbank for about ten years. His business card says "Real Estate Manager". But it...

It is small and humble, yet indispensable for nature and us humans: the bee. This important insect is therefore honored on May 20th with World Bee Day. At Wildbiene + Partner, however, the busy pollinators are already in focus all year round. By Kirsten Astor The calendar is full of crazy commemorative days. There’s Sweatpants Day, Puddle Jumping Day, Change Your Password Day, and Seed Swap Day. Yes, there’s even an official World Toilet Day. While some of these action days are more humorous, World Bee Day on May 20th has a serious background. It’s about nothing less than biodiversity...

Who doesn't know the famous children's song "Summ, summ, summ – Bienchen, summ herum" (Buzz, buzz, buzz – little bee, buzz around)? Currently, there is indeed a buzzing and humming sound from the many colorful blossoms in gardens and spring meadows. But for the next generation of busy bees to grow, the animals need an ideal shelter. Our sustainably produced BeeHome focuses on quality – and that pays off, as our author has observed on her balcony for a few weeks now. By Kirsten Astor The air traffic outside my window is incredible. With the balcony door open, the buzzing...