100 000 bees introduced at Hope quarry sites

100 000 honey bees have been introduced into Hope Construction Materials’ two largest quarries – Hope Cement Works, Hope Valley, and Dowlow Quarry near Buxton, in Derbyshire.

In both locations, the 3-mile radius that surrounds the quarry where the hives have been placed contains a sustainable nectar supply, predominantly from wild cherry plants, buttercups and daisies, making it the perfect environment for the honey bees and their hives to thrive.

Hope’s bee installation is the latest in a number of tangible steps by the company to improve biodiversity and enhance the sustainability of the quarries. Alongside the installation of the honey bee hives, Hope is working towards the development of the surrounding environments to support bumble bees, whose populations have suffered a decline in recent years. Both of Hope’s quarries are surrounded by a variety of wildflowers including Birds Foot Trefoil, Red Clover and Marsh Orchids.

The company hopes to produce up to 40 lb of ‘Hope Honey’ per hive for employees, local residents, and businesses next year. The Hope bees are cared for directly by Hope’s employees, Assistant Quarry Managers Alan Porter and Tom Herrick, who both have a keen interest in bees and are fully trained beekeepers.

Gill Perkins, Conservation Manager at the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, says: “The Bumblebee Conservation Trust promotes the development of bee-friendly environments by creating bio diverse spaces around both restored and active quarry sites, which could help play a vital role in their long-term survival.”

Edited from various sources by Katherine Guenioui

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/12082015/100000-bees-introduced-at-hope-quarry-sites-314/