From March of this year, on the “Horizonti” plot, Lvivo str. two beehives were placed. According to Urbanbee.lt designed by Paulius Chockevičius, while waiting for the start of construction, his team together with RELEVEN took care of making the area greener and more attractive. Various woody plants were planted, which not only decorated the environment, but also provided a food base for bees.
“Beehives really connect people and create sustainable, conscious and green urban communities around them. People around them start talking about bees, the understanding of the importance of bees increases, which helps the declining bee population and improves the urban ecosystem,” says P. Chockevičius.
Paulius notices that the new perennial plants on the plot will be useful not only for the new “Horizonta” workers, but also for butterflies, bumblebees, and solitary bees flying along the way.
“As for the amounts of honey, they can vary greatly from year to year. Weather conditions and environmental factors have a significant influence on honey yield. Sometimes the bees may not collect spring honey, sometimes the late summer harvest is lacking, and sometimes there is an abundance of all three types of honey in the season. We collect about 15 kilograms of honey from one hive, but this number can be lower or higher. It’s nice that the “Horizonti” hives brought exactly 15 kilograms of honey from each hive this year,” the beekeeper is happy.
As Paul goes on to point out, while urban bees generally have a sufficient food base, the additional plants planted through this initiative have provided bees with even more nectar. This is especially useful when the weather conditions prevent them from flying further – in cold or rainy weather. This way, the bees have an additional source of honeydew right next to them, from which they can take food, maintain their health and live full and happy lives.
Company photo/Horizontai visualization
“We planted various flowers to make the honey tastier and make the view greener for the residents. It was important for us not only to provide more food for the bees, but also to improve the environment for the surrounding residents. We are happy to see how the flowers we plant bloom and how it positively affects the surrounding community,” says Guido Wolf, Director of Sustainability and Innovation at RELEVEN.
Urbanbee.lt mission: nature in the heart of the city
Mr. Chockevičius, who previously worked in finance in London and Lithuania, felt the desire to find greater meaning in his activities. Inspired by the beekeeping traditions of the City of London and his grandfather’s experience as a beekeeper, he decided to set up Urbanbee.lt. In London, he interned at the city’s largest apiary, which looks after the hives of the current King Charles III.
“I wanted more and more meaning, to bring people nature to the cities, to show the importance of bees. I realized how much we, humanity, are involved in their lives and how much we can help them,” says Paulius.
Bees pollinate about 70 percent. the food we eat. With the growing trend of vegan and vegetarian diets, people are becoming even more dependent on the work of bees. Bee hives “Horizontu” in the quarter not only strengthens biodiversity, but also contributes to the creation of cleaner air and a greener environment.
Photo by Simona Žemgulytė/Bees
“Plants grow better, nature becomes greener, more flowers and nectar. This is beneficial not only for the bees, but also for all of us – the residents, who can enjoy cleaner air and a more beautiful environment”, Paulius shares his thoughts.
“There are quite a few in Vilnius Urbanbee.lt hives, but this one is the first to stand at street level. We are very happy that the bees were able to work peacefully throughout the season. This is a unique opportunity for the townspeople to see the life of bees up close and understand their importance. We hope that this initiative will encourage more people to contribute to the creation of a sustainable urban environment,” says G. Wolf.
Although construction work will soon begin and the bees will be temporarily evicted, once the project is completed and the hives return to the block, Paulius proposes the idea of creating a community garden where residents can grow their own vegetables and get even closer to nature.
“We will gladly contribute to events, educations, honey tastings for both residents and the community. A lot of beautiful things can be done, and I hope that the idea of bees will continue to be alive when the people of Vilnius fill this quarter,” he says.
Urbanbee.lt invites city residents to contribute to the preservation of bees: plant woody plants, create green spaces, avoid the use of pesticides. The author of this initiative believes that together we can create a more sustainable and green environment where bees and humans will live in harmony.
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#Bee #hives #urban #jungle #bees #collect #honey #center #Vilnius #Business
**Interview with Paulius Chockevičius on Urban Beekeeping and Sustainability**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us, Paulius. It’s exciting to hear about the urban beekeeping initiative at the “Horizonti” site in Vilnius. Could you share what motivated you to bring beehives to urban areas?
**Paulius Chockevičius**: Thank you for having me. My journey really began when I worked in finance but felt a lack of connection to something meaningful. Inspired by the beekeeping traditions in London and my grandfather’s experiences, I wanted to bridge that gap and bring nature back into urban spaces. Bees are vital for our ecosystem, and I believed that by incorporating beehives in cities, we can educate the community about their importance while promoting biodiversity.
**Interviewer**: That’s a fantastic goal. How do you believe urban beekeeping impacts not only bees but also the communities around them?
**Paulius**: Beehives truly connect people. They spark conversations about sustainability and the environment. By increasing awareness of bee populations, we can encourage efforts to protect them, ultimately improving the urban ecosystem. The addition of flowering plants on the plot enhances the environment for everyone—bees, butterflies, and the residents who enjoy the beauty and benefits of a greener space.
**Interviewer**: You mentioned that this year, each hive produced about 15 kilograms of honey. What do you believe influences honey production in urban settings?
**Paulius**: Honey yields can fluctuate greatly depending on various factors like weather conditions and environmental health. Urban areas often provide a rich food source due to diverse plants. This year’s yield was fortunate, but under different circumstances, it might have varied significantly. The extra plants we’ve introduced help ensure that our bees have access to more nectar, especially when the weather isn’t favorable for foraging.
**Interviewer**: That makes sense. Guido Wolf from RELEVEN also emphasized the importance of planting flowers for both bees and the surrounding community. How do such initiatives contribute to urban sustainability?
**Paulius**: Planting various flowers does more than just beautify an area; it creates a thriving environment where bees can flourish. As bees pollinate about 70% of the food we consume, the more they thrive, the healthier our ecosystem becomes. Cleaner air and greener spaces are beneficial for everyone, not just the bees. It’s a symbiotic relationship—when we enhance the environment for bees, we also enhance it for ourselves.
**Interviewer**: With such initiatives being relatively new in cities like Vilnius, what message do you hope to convey to residents regarding urban beekeeping?
**Paulius**: I hope to inspire a deeper appreciation for nature in urban settings. Urban beekeeping can show how integrated nature can be in our lives, even in the heart of the city. By fostering a community that values sustainability, we can all contribute to a healthier planet. My hope is that this initiative will motivate others to explore similar efforts to promote biodiversity and environmental responsibility.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Paulius, for your insights and passion for sustainable urban living. We look forward to seeing how urban beekeeping grows in Vilnius!
**Paulius**: Thank you for the opportunity! I’m excited about the future and hope that more people will join us in this vital mission.
