Why are bees important?

Bees make up a vital part of our ecosystem and are one of Earth’s primary pollinators.

Bees are responsible for pollinating nearly a third of the world's crops including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. This means that bees are essential for food production and for helping to maintain a healthy ecosystem. Without bees, many of our favorite foods would become scarce or even disappear entirely.

Not only that, but bees pollinate plants that provide habitats and food for other animals such as birds and insects. Without bees, the entire ecosystem would be thrown out of balance.

How is BRUNA contributing to saving the bees together with the Jane Goodall Institute Austria?

To mark Give Back Friday 2022, BRUNA raised €29,680 for the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) Austria with the generous support of our community.

This donation goes to supporting the institute’s conservation projects in Kikuube and Hoima, Uganda in 2023 and 2024, the aim of which is to promote beekeeping as an alternative and sustainable livelihood for local people.

Local communities adjacent to the Wambabya Central Forest Reserve and Bugoma Central Forest Reserves—some of the most biodiversity-rich areas in Africa—depend heavily on natural resources for survival. Together with the JGI Uganda team, local communities and capable Forest Monitors will be trained, equipped, and taught about habitat protection, beekeeping, apiary management, and honey processing, as well as other value addition techniques such as candle-making. As of September 2023, 123 farmers from the parishes of Kabwoya, Kidoma, and Wambabya have already been trained and equipped with hives and other tools.

About the Jane Goodall Institute Austria

The Jane Goodall Institute Austria (JGI Austria) is one of over 30 JGIs in the world that advances the vision and work of Dr. Jane Goodall.

In 1960, when she was just 26 years old, Jane Goodall traveled from England to what is now Tanzania and ventured into the little-known world of wild chimpanzees. Equipped with little more than a notebook, binoculars, and her fascination with wildlife, Jane braved a realm of unknowns to give the world a remarkable window into humankind’s closest living relatives. Through nearly 60 years of groundbreaking work, Dr. Jane Goodall has not only shown us the urgent need to protect chimpanzees from extinction but has also redefined species conservation to include the needs of local people and the environment.

• Adopt a bee or beehive as a gift: What could be a better gift than adopting a bee or beehive? By doing so, you can help our buzzing friends prosper and pollinate their natural ecosystems.
• Spread awareness: Educate your friends and family about the importance of bees and what they can do to help. Share articles and information on social media to help raise awareness.

Saving the bees is a collective effort. By taking small steps in our daily lives, we can all contribute to the health and well-being of these important pollinators. Let's work together to ensure that bees continue to thrive and play a vital role in our ecosystem!