Learning From the Hive: Inspiring Youth to Protect Bees and Biodiversity

Bees may be small, but they play a huge role in our everyday lives. They help produce one- third of the food we eat and support 90% of wild flowering plants, making them essential to life as we know it.

Unfortunately, bees and other pollinators have been on the decline worldwide in recent decades. Habitat loss, changes in weather patterns and widespread pesticide use threaten the plants people rely on every day.

L’Abeille du Môle is an association in Marignier, France, that spreads awareness about bees and their importance to biodiversity. Through education and hands-on experiences, they help young people understand the vital role pollinators play in sustaining life on Earth.

Recognizing the importance of this association’s efforts, the Lions of Faucigny turned to Lions Clubs International Foundation for support. The club applied for and received a US$2,216 District and Club Community Impact Grant (DCG). The funds were used to purchase an educational beehive, protective suits for children and teenagers, and communication materials to bring biodiversity education directly into schools.

According to Faucigny Lions Club President Bertrand Duby, their valley is changing quickly, with fruit meadows disappearing and pollinator habitats becoming increasingly restricted.

“Raising awareness among children helps them understand the need to replant the trees bees rely on for honey and creates a link with parents,” Duby said. “A convinced child means at least three to four adults become aware of the issue, possibly leading to one tree planted.”

When students put on overalls and gloves, they step out of the classroom and fully enter the beekeeping world.

“A child’s first visit to the apiary is very memorable. Initially, some children seem stressed while others are excited,” Duby said.  “Opening a hive with a gentle colony helps them discover the bees. Within five minutes, they are smoking the hive, lifting frames, and even the most fearful are gaining confidence by catching clustered bees with their gloves.”

Working with teenagers was equally challenging at first, but in a different way. The teens took more of a wait-and-see approach to discovering the beekeeping world. However, according to Duby, tasting honey and constructing the chimney hive made the experience more tangible, sparked motivation and created team spirit.

One of Duby’s favorite moments was when the teenagers suited up and transferred a swarm into their hives in front of facilitators, Lions members and municipal officials. For many of the students, their highlight came later in the day.

“When the students took the honey frames and put them into the centrifuge, they saw firsthand the yellow gold honey flowing into the jars and that was a magical experience for the teenagers,” Duby said.

At the end of the program, each student left with a pot of honey and a deeper understanding of biodiversity and the natural world.

Learn how your community can use an LCIF District and Club Community Impact Grant (DCG) to help heal our planet at lionsclubs.org/DCG.