LINZ. On Tuesday, July 6th, the state of Upper Austria named Linz a “bee-friendly community”. The state capital is home to around 100 million bees. They not only live in parks and public green spaces, but also in private gardens or balconies.
Linz can now call itself a “bee-friendly community”. On Tuesday, July 6th, the Climate State Council presented the award to Mayor Klaus Luger (SPÖ), Deputy Mayor Bernhard Baier (ÖVP), who is responsible for urban greenery, and Environment Councilor Eva Schobesberger (Greens). “Bees make a decisive contribution to the foundations of life in the animal and plant world, our urban ecosystem and our diet. Anyone who thinks that bees are only at home in the country is wrong. Around 100 million insects live in Linz alone, ”explained Schobesberger when the award was presented. Bees do the main part of the pollination for crops, especially for fruit trees. In addition, they pollinate the majority of all plants in nature that could no longer reproduce without insect pollination.
The population can make a contribution to bee protection
According to Schobesberger, it is necessary to ensure biodiversity in order for bees to continue to live in the city and to stop the death of bees. This could be done, for example, by means of climate and biodiversity measures. The population can also make a contribution, for example through targeted planting on the balcony.
“There are many ways to help the bees in urban areas, even in the smallest garden, on the balcony or even on the window sill. For example, integrating insect forage plants in the garden, creating nesting aids or creating a retreat for insects. An intact ecosystem is needed so that the bees will continue to enjoy flying around Linz and going about their work in the future, ”adds Luger. According to Baier, it is necessary to protect trees, green spaces and inner-city parks, which also has a positive effect on the urban climate.
No pesticides on public green spaces
In addition to Linz, 13 other municipalities were awarded. The project was launched five years ago with six municipalities and has meanwhile grown to more than 60 Upper Austrian locations in all districts. Bee-friendly communities do without pesticides on public green spaces and plant them in a bee-friendly way.
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