Pollinator biodiversity



This nature-based solution complements all other greening actions of proGIreg, since pollinators are essential to a healthy and functioning ecosystem. To make urban areas more pollinator-friendly, cities can reduce pesticide use and increase the size of green spaces and plant species diversity. Green networks and corridors help prevent in-breeding of isolated populations, which can lead to species extinction.Monitoring the variety and amounts of pollinators is a good way of assessing the pollinator-friendliness of a city. ProGIreg’s citizen science approach involves involving local citizens to create, monitor and promote awareness of pollinator-friendly spaces.


Turin

The City of Turin has been working in a socially inclusive and bottom-up approach with doctors and patients of mental health centres to promote pollinator-friendly spaces across the Living Lab, in collaboration with local innovative initiative Farfalle in Tour. A pollinator garden with an apiary for honey production will be developed on the former industrial site. Learn more here.

 

Researchers of the University of Turin have trained people affected by mental health issues to become scientific disseminators and carry out project activities in parts of the Mirafiori district: creating and taking care of pollinator gardens, observing and recording butterfly species, managing a website, breeding caterpillars, and taking part in public events and educational activities in schools and social housing areas. Learn more about the butterfly gardens for disadvantaged people.

Prof. Simona Bonelli (University of Turin), proGIreg's pollinator expert, explains how cities can make the urban green more attractive to butterflies and bees:

Dortmund

Local association, Naturfelder, has, together with support from local citizens, converted more than 10 different areas within and outside the Living Lab Huckarde into extensive biodiversity spaces featuring regional grasses and flowers. The pollinator-friendly plants offer living and nourishing habitats that provide rich food sources such as pollen and nectar for pollinating insects.

 

Take a look at the factsheet to find out more

Cascais

By running workshops for schools and the local community, Cascais will increase awareness of the importance of pollinators in the local ecosystem, encourage beekeeping and the reduction of pesticide-use.

Piraeus

Piraeus will involve the local community in pollinator monitoring, protection and fostering throughout its green corridors.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 innovation action programme under grant agreement no. 776528. The sole responsibility for the content of this website lies with the proGIreg project and in no way reflects the views of the European Union.