Urban Apiculture – A Way to Reconnect Society and Nature?

Abstract: In recent years honeybees have attracted a great deal of attention, an attention that seems to be rather unlikely when one looks at the general relationship between humans and the environment, which is often taken for granted. This study aims to look into one kind of corporate initiative in urban apiculture to reconnect humans and nature again. In particular the focus is on motivation, implementation and the impact these initiatives have on sustainable development. A transdisciplinary approach has been adopted that combines different perspectives of beekeepers in the field, scholars and business. It is thereby important to note that adopting apiculture as part of a corporate sustainability strategy is a rather recent trend, which reflects both the scope and the results of the study. This study has found the primary motivation behind apiculture projects for corporations to be raising awareness about the fate of honeybees (Apis mellifera) and supporting honeybee population numbers. This also reflects in the impact on sustainable development. Not only does the urban environment offer an ideal habitat that shows benefits for honeybee health and their honey, but honeybees also benefit the urban environment through their pollination services. And although the connection between corporations and apiculture seems to be alien at first glance, benefits also extend to the corporations themselves, including a greater identification with the corporation by its employees, more cooperation both within one corporation and with other corporations and more publicity. Urban apiculture can thus help reconnecting society and nature in different ways. However, the greater the abundance of honeybees the more limited seem their benefits and initially positive impacts might even turn negative. To prevent this, the study therefore concludes that it is important to decide about the extent in which urban apiculture is adopted on a case by case basis that is possibly supplemented by planting additional forage.